Q. We need to remove all DNA from material, bleach destroys DNA, but we use a lot of it. Any Alconox-type cleaners that can completely remove/destroy DNA without the bleach step?
A. Since DNA is stable to alkaline hydrolysis, alkaline based cleaners and detergents may not be effective, or efficient. We recommend testing 1-2% Citranox® Liquid Acid Cleaner and Detergent, pH 2.5 for removing DNA. Acids at high temperatures are capable of breaking the DNA molecule into its components. Note the working concentration of the Citranox detergent recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
Citranox detergent is liquid acid cleaner for manual, soak and ultrasonic cleaning. It is corrosion-inhibited for glassware, metals, and plastic.
Following cleaning with a Citranox solution, adequate rinsing with water is required. Citranox detergent has rinse aids that leave no interfering residues on the surface. Before exposing laboratory equipment to any high temperature cleaning or acid cleaning, testing needs to conducted to ensure no damage to equipment surface or substrate.
Important to note, do not mix bleach hypochlorite with Citranox detergent because in sufficient quantities the mixture can form toxic chlorine gas, as they can acidify the bleach solution to below pH 7. Needless to say, chlorine gas formation is bad.
If a washer (or high pressure sprayer) cleaning is required, we would go with Citrajet® Low-Foam Liquid Acid Cleaner/Rinse.
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