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DNA Exitus Plus Versus Standard Bleach Solution for the Removal of DNA Contaminants on Work Surfaces and Tools

NCJ Number
233729
Journal
Investigative Sciences Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 20-29
Author(s)
Ashley Arena, B.S.
Date Published
July 2010
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of a comparison of products used for the removal of DNA contaminants in the workspace.
Abstract
DNA Exitus Plus is a relatively new product developed by the German company, Applichem to be used for the removal of DNA contaminants in the workspace. Like the more common method of using 10 percent bleach solution, DNA Exitus Plus uses non-hazardous and biodegradable ingredients to cause strand breakages as well as degradation of DNA. This is desirable so as to avoid DNA contamination by amplifiable DNA present on work areas or tools being used for the highly sensitive process of DNA extraction and quantification. The goal of this research was to test the effectiveness of DNA Exitus Plus on different surfaces found around the laboratory and to compare its effectiveness against a 10 percent bleach solution. DNA Exitus Plus or 10 percent bleach solution was sprayed on the contaminated areas and allowed to sit. The areas were swabbed with moistened cotton swabs to collect any DNA present. DNA was collected from the swabs using the Buccal Swab Spin Protocol and was detected using a Quantifiler Human DNA Quantification Kit by Applied Biosystems, Inc. While some surfaces showed DNA detectable on both the bleach and DNA Exitus Plus cleaned surfaces, all the test samples showed that the quantities of DNA were below the levels that could be successfully genotyped. (Published Abstract) Figures, tables, and references