Is it okay to store soil and water samples that are suspected to carry B.anthracis in a freezer (-20 degrees Celsius?
The storage conditions for soil and water samples are crucial to maintaining their integrity for accurate analysis. Here are the recommended storage conditions:
### Soil Samples:
1. **Containers**: Use clean, airtight containers such as plastic bags, jars, or bottles. Avoid containers that could react with the soil.
2. **Temperature**: Store soil samples at a cool temperature, typically around 4°C (39°F) if analysis is delayed. For certain analyses, freezing the samples may be necessary.
3. **Moisture**: Keep the soil moisture content consistent with its natural state unless specified otherwise for particular tests. Avoid excessive drying or wetting.
4. **Labeling**: Clearly label each container with relevant information, including the sample location, depth, date, and any other necessary details.
5. **Duration**: Minimize the storage time to prevent changes in soil chemistry or biology. For longer storage periods, consider freezing.
### Water Samples:
1. **Containers**: Use clean, non-reactive containers, typically made of glass or plastic. For certain analyses, specific types of containers (e.g., amber bottles for light-sensitive compounds) may be required.
2. **Preservatives**: Add preservatives as required for specific analyses. For example, acidify samples with hydrochloric acid for metal analysis, or use sodium thiosulfate for samples containing chlorine.
3. **Temperature**: Store at 4°C (39°F) to slow down biological activity and chemical reactions.
4. **Labeling**: Label containers with necessary details, including sample location, date, time, and any preservative added.
5. **Handling**: Avoid agitation or exposure to light, which could alter the sample characteristics. Keep samples in the dark if light-sensitive compounds are of interest.
6. **Duration**: Analyze samples as soon as possible. Certain analyses may have specific maximum holding times.
Proper storage conditions are essential for preserving the integrity of soil and water samples, ensuring accurate and reliable results in subsequent analyses.
To what purpose?
If to recover B. anthracis, think freezing will prob work - note culture procedure from freezing in last cite.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0098299709000612
Article Characterization of Bacillus anthracis replication and persi...
https://veterinary.arriah.ru/jour/issue/download/48/35#page=76
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