RE: A clean machine -Reply

Flow Cytometry Mail Group (FLOWUSER@cyto.medsch.ucla.edu)
Fri, 14 Feb 97 14:01:00 PST

Here is to another unusual cleaning solution: we have started to run 20%
acetic acid through the lines on our sorters as a cleaning and
disinfecting? agent to replace bleach and ethanol which seemed to
interfer with functional activity of sorted cells. We always follow with
distilled water and it is easy to check that the acid is rinsed out by
using a tube with media that contains phenol red to collect the fluid
from the nozzle. We have seen no ill effects on the tubing.
Ingrid

----------
From:
owner-cyto-sendout[SMTP:owner-cyto-sendout@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 5:22 PM
To: Cytometry Mailing List
Subject: Re: A clean machine -Reply

Reply to: RE>>A clean machine -Reply
We've been using a dilute sodium hydroxide solution to clean the tubing
in
our three
FACscans for several years now. We used to use bleach, as recommended by
the
manufacturer, and sometimes we would have clogs which never seemed to
clear up
completely. Our protein chemist recommended NaOH to me late one
afternoon
when
I was particularly frustrated with a stubborn clog. The NaOH cleared it
right
out, and from then on we've used it regularly to keep the lines clear
with few
problems. I've always wondered if anyone else has tried it and how it
has
worked for them.
Florence

--------------------------------------
Date: 2/11/97 4:21 PM
To: cyto-inbox
From: Jim Zanghi

>Small beads staying in the instrument can be a problem. Triton X-100 at
>0.1% (the same concentration used to permeabilize cells) in water will
>remove most of them.
>
>Betsy Robertson
>>
>> Running ethanol
>> after the beads seems to help push them through more quickly.
>>
>> Tony Bakke

I was wondering about what types of solutions can be run through a flow
cytometer without causing damage or corrosion. Is pure ethanol okay?
On
the advise of others, I have run 50% hot bleach to clear up clogs, but I
was very weary about doing this since bleach corrodes stainless steel.
I've always followed with a 5 minute water rinse, but this concentration
of
bleach seems a bit extreme (we routinely use 10% bleach at room temp).
If 0.1% triton or 70% ethanol is as effective as 50% hot bleach, than
this
seems to be the way to go. Any thoughts about this? What do
manufacturers recommend?

Jim

--
James A. Zanghi
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

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From: zanghi@merle.acns.nwu.edu (Jim Zanghi)
Subject: Re: A clean machine -Reply


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CD-ROM Vol 3 was produced by Monica M. Shively and other staff at the Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories and distributed free of charge as an educational service to the cytometry community. If you have any comments please direct them to Dr. J. Paul Robinson, Professor & Director, PUCL, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Phone: (765)-494-0757; FAX(765) 494-0517; Web http://www.cyto.purdue.edu , EMAIL cdrom3@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu