Model KYTOvial -The Preservation Solution for Your Water Samples
Long-term preservation solution for water samples, Reduces bio-security risks during storage and transport, Enhances quality of flow cytometry analysis, Small footprint enables rapid and frequent sampling
The quality of sample preservation strongly affects the reliability of flow cytometry analyses. Ideally, samples are measured instantaneously, but in practice this is not always possible. Prolonged storage (i.e. > 24h), even at 4 °C, strongly changes the microbial load, and the microbial composition of water samples. Performant sample preservation during storage and transport to the laboratory is therefore of vital importance.
The KYTOvials offer a long-term sample preservation system fine-tuned for a wide range of freshwater and marine water samples. The vials contain a small amount of a bactericidal component that kills microbial cells and protects their membrane and internal components through a process called fixation. This process prepares the samples for direct analysis by flow cytometry by preserving the microbial load and enhancing the number of resolved microbial populations, thereby enabling detailed investigation of the microbial cells in the samples.
- Bactericidal action. Microbial cells are killed by the fixing agent, thereby protecting the user and preventing new microbes from contaminating the sample.
- Convenience. KYTOvials are supplied in recyclable cardboard boxes.
- Small footprint. The vials have a small footprint (i.e. 2 mL total volume) enabling large sampling campaigns and easy storage into the provided storage boxes.
- Storage conditions. Unused vials should be stored between 4 – 10 °C for up to 1 year from date of manufacturing in a cool and dry place
- Safety first. Durable materials with a screw-cap washer seal avoid undesirable entry/escape of sample and KYTOvial preservation reagents.
- Sample identification. Semi-permanent sample identifiers on each vial can resist chemicals, extreme temperatures and extended periods of storage.
Storage performance
Storage performance of the KYTOvial solution was tested using two types of representative marine aquaculture water samples. These were stored at 4°C and analyzed repeatedly by flow cytometry. Microbial load in the water samples is stable during storage for up to one month. Sample storage at 4°C without preservation results in significant microbial growth within 4 days.
The cell concentration remained stable during one month of storage at 4°C with (orange) and without (grey) the KytoVial. Traditional sample storage at 4°C results in significant microbial growth within 4 days.Storing water samples in KYTOvial increases the ability of flow cytometry analyses to resolve microbial populations. This is especially the case for microbial cells with a lower fluorescence intensity, which are usually more difficult to detect. This additional aspect enables a more detailed and complete view of the microbial composition in your water samples.
The number of microbial populations resolved by flow cytometry is higher with the KytoVial (orange) compared to without (grey). Additional populations are detected (P5) and other microbial populations are more clearly separated from each other (P4, P3).