eDNA Sample Collection Guides

Overview

The samples for testing are collected by passing water through 2 filters. The water is discarded after passing through the filter – it is the contents of the filters that will be tested when they are returned to us. Below is a list of items you will require to collect the samples in the filters and step by step instructions describing how to collect the samples. Please follow these instructions carefully so we receive the correct quantity of material to test and thus ensuring the collected samples are in good condition. One sample kit tests one body of water. Gloves and syringe should be discarded after use.

Water sampling kit Per 1000ml of water

1. 1 x Padded jiffy bag with correct postage for return.
2. 1 x Cooling gel pack
3. 4 x Sterile Blue gloves
4. 1 x Clear Grip Seal bag
5. 2 x 50ml Luer-lock syringe
6. 2 x Liquid Preservative Syringe with red cap
7. 2 x 0.22µm Sterivex filters
8. 2 x Sterivex filter red caps (for Outlet)
9. 2 x Barcoded labels
10. 1 x Submission form

Sampling protocol

1. Put cooling gel pack in the freezer for at least 2 hours before you begin sample collection.
2. With clean dry hands put on the sterile blue gloves before you start.
3. Remove the packaging from a syringe and a filter.
4. Fill the syringe with water from the body of water which is being tested to the 50ml mark.
5. Screw the syringe to the inlet of the filter (plain long end). Pass the water through the filter slowly by carefully pushing the syringe plunger. Remove the filter from the syringe.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, ten (10) times, this ensures we have enough material to test. Please note towards the end it will get more difficult to pass the water from the syringe through the filter.
7. Once you have done this, disconnect the syringe from the filter and fill with air by pulling up the plunger, re-connect to the filter inlet and push air through the filter. Repeat this step until no water is visible in the filter. Remove and discard the syringe.
8. Cap the narrow end of the filter, then remove the red cap from the liquid preservative syringe and attach it to the wide end of the filter and push all the preservative into the filter. Once this has been completed cap the filter with the red cap from the syringe and shake filter for 5 seconds.
9. Stick the barcoded label on the side of the filter.
10. Repeat steps 3 to 9 for each of the 2 filters.
11. Insert both filters into the clear grip seal bag.
12. The filters should be stored at a cool temperature until shipping for processing, ideally in a refrigerator at 4⁰C.
13. Write the barcode, number of samples, your details and the sampling date on the submission form.
14. For shipping, insert the Grip Seal bag containing the filters, submission form and frozen gel pack into the padded envelope provided and post back to eDNA Mainstream within 48 hours of receiving the test kit.
15. The padded envelope will be addressed with the appropriate postage on it.
16. For further questions, telephone 01790 753324 or email info@mainstreamfisheries.co.uk

Overview

The samples for testing are collected by passing water through 3 filters. The water is discarded after passing through the filter – it is the contents of the filters that will be tested when they are returned to us. Below is a list of items you will require to collect the samples in the filters and step by step instructions describing how to collect the samples. Please follow these instructions carefully so we receive the correct quantity of material to test and thus ensuring the collected samples are in good condition. One sample kit tests one body of water. Gloves and syringe should be discarded after use.

Water sampling kit Per 1500ml of water

1. 1 x Padded jiffy bag with correct postage for return.
2. 1 x Cooling gel pack
3. 4 x Sterile Blue gloves
4. 1 x Clear Grip Seal bag
5. 3 x 50ml Luer-lock syringe
6. 3 x Liquid Preservative Syringe with red cap
7. 3 x 0.22µm Sterivex filter
8. 3 x Sterivex filter red caps (for Inlet and Outlet)
9. 3 x Barcoded labels
10. 1 x Submission form

Sampling protocol

1. Put cooling gel pack in the freezer for at least 2 hours before you begin sample collection.
2. With clean dry hands put on the sterile blue gloves before you start.
3. Remove the packaging from a syringe and a filter.
4. Fill the syringe with water from the body of water which is being tested to the 50ml mark.
5. Screw the syringe to the inlet of the filter (plain long end). Pass the water through the filter slowly by carefully pushing the syringe plunger. Remove the filter from the syringe.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, ten (10) times, this ensures we have enough material to test. Please note towards the end it will get more difficult to pass the water from the syringe through the filter.
7. Once you have done this, disconnect the syringe from the filter and fill with air by pulling up the plunger, re-connect to the filter inlet and push air through the filter. Repeat this step until no water is visible in the filter. Remove and discard the syringe.
8. Cap the narrow end of the filter, then remove the red cap from the liquid preservative syringe and attach it to the wide end of the filter and push all the preservative into the filter. Once this has been completed cap the filter with the red cap from the syringe and shake the filter for 5 seconds.
9. Stick the barcoded label on the side of the filter.
10. Repeat steps 3 to 9 for each of the 3 filters.
11. Insert all 3 filters into the clear grip seal bag.
12. The filters should be stored at a cool temperature until shipping for processing, ideally in a refrigerator at 4⁰C.
13. Write the barcode, number of samples, your details and the sampling date on the submission form.
14. For shipping, insert the Grip Seal bag containing the filters, submission form and frozen gel pack into the padded envelope provided and post back to eDNA Mainstream within 48 hours of receiving the test kit.
15. The padded envelope will be addressed with the appropriate postage on it.
16. For further questions, telephone 01790 753324 or email info@mainstreamfisheries.co.uk

Water sampling kit Per Swab.

1. 1 x Padded jiffy bag with correct postage for return.
2. 1 x Cooling gel pack
3. 4 x Sterile Blue gloves
4. 1 x Clear Grip Seal bag
5. 1 x collection and preservation tube.
6. 1 x Barcoded label

 Sampling protocol also described on the back of the packet.

1. Put cooling gel pack in the freezer for at least 2 hours before you begin sample collection.
2. With clean dry hands put on sterile blue gloves before you start.
3. Remove the packaging from the eNAT swab.
4. Hold the swab on the plastic end. Do not touch the swab end.
5. Rub the swab end on to the surface you wish to take the same from while rotating the swab between your finger and thumb at the same time.
6. Unscrew the blue cap on the tube.
7. Place the swab, swab end first into the preservation tube.
8. Snap the plastic stem by moving the stem to one side.
9. Screw the blue cap back onto the preservation tube.
10. Stick the barcoded label on the side of the preservation tube.
11. Insert the preservation tube into the clear grip seal bag.
12. The preservation tube should be stored at a cool temperature until shipping for processing, ideally in the fridge at 4⁰C
13. For shipping, insert the Grip Seal bag containing the preservation tube, submission form and frozen gel pack into the padded envelope provided and post back to eDNA Mainstream within 48 hours of receiving the test kit.
14. The padded envelope will be addressed with the appropriate postage on it.
15. For further questions, please get in touch at info@mainstreamfisheries.co.uk