The Microcon devices are non-sterile. These devices cannot be sterilized by UV or autoclaving. However, it is possible to sanitize the devices with 70% ethanol. Please see the protocol for sanitization below:
1. Reagent Preparation: 70% Ethanol solution (v/v) is prepared by dilution in distilled water. Both the ethanol solution and distilled water used for rinsing should be filter-sterilized using sterile, 0.22 µm sterilizing grade filter device.
2.Sanitization Protocol:
A. Fill the Microcon device to its published capacity with filter-sterilized 70% ethanol, and cap the unit (note that the collection tubes can be sanitized in the same manner).
B. Invert device by hand or in an end-over-end mixer to continuously wet all internal surfaces of the device.
C. Incubate for a minimum of 5 minutes (note that the device can be capped and left for up to 24 hours if it is not going to be used immediately).
D. Spin at recommended G-force using appropriate centrifuge until at least 50% of the volume has passed through the device.
E. Aseptically discard any remaining ethanol from the filter device and filter collection tube.
F. Immediately rinse away residual ethanol by adding the filter-sterilized water to the device's published capacity, mix gently to wet all areas, and centrifuge until at least 50% of the volume has passed through the device.
G. Discard any remaining liquid from both the concentrator device and filter collection tube before use.
DO NOT let the filter membrane dry out in concentrator unit. If the devices are not to be used immediately, fill the devices with filter-sterilized distilled water, cover, and store refrigerated. Remove liquid from device as previously described prior to use.
