Are Gut Microbes Detectable in Feces After 3 Years at -80°C? Does Storage Impact Microbial Composition or Serum Metabolomics?
1. Stability of Fecal Samples for Gut Microbiota Analysis
Freezing fecal samples at -80°C is a widely accepted method for preserving bacterial DNA in microbiome research. Even after three years of storage, DNA degradation remains minimal under these conditions, allowing for reliable microbial detection. However, prolonged storage may influence microbial composition, particularly for taxa sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles, potentially affecting downstream analyses.
2. Stability of Serum Samples for Untargeted Metabolomics
Serum stored at -80°C for three years remains viable for untargeted metabolomics, though some unstable metabolites may degrade over time. In most cases, ultra-low temperatures help maintain molecular integrity, significantly slowing degradation. Prior to analysis, sample quality should be assessed to account for potential storage-related variations in metabolite composition.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
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