what percentage of Copper Sulphate solution

Hi there,

I found after a long hard time with contamination of my cell culture that the water bath in my incubator has constant growth of fungi. even with repeated cleaning they just reappear...

i was considering adding copper sulphate to the water. but what percentage is best for avoiding this contamination problem once and for all? Please let me know.

Regards,
Seeker

Try the contaFree Aquaclean (wak-chemie.com; Wak-Chemie Medical GmBH; WAK-AQA-250-50L) - its pretty cheap and 250 ml is good for 50 L. Its got ketones, surfactants and probably copper sulfate in a blue, color changing base, and inhibits growth - incl algae and fungi in water baths. Disposal is not a problem as its biodegradable (has to be renewed every 4-5 weeks, as the color fades).
I believe that many other companies make this - there should be one in your locality.
If you choose to make your own solution, you'll have to mix copper sulfate with some surfactant to act as a dispersant.

Seeker,
You didnt really get the answer to your question did you?  In recessionary times, labs cannot afford to buy in expensive products for this type of thing.  And a pinch of Copper Sulphate is the most imprecise and annoying thing ever, i even hate it in cooking.  Could anybody be a bit more precise?
I found someone said 1g/L Copper Sulphate and 0.02g/L EDTA in one of the other forums.  Could anybody give me some feedback on this??

I try to buy Aqua Clean from my lab and it's $115 USD for 1 x 250ml bottle.... and it's more expensive than our culture mediums.

What are the other manufactureres in Hong Kong if any one know?

Hi seeker,


This my suggestion instead of the any solution containg copper use copper try in the incubator it will solve your problem permantly  and regarding the water bath we clen our bath once in the week solve your waterbath problem

I think this will help

Thanks
rajeshwari

I added exactly 1 kg of copper sulphate to my 8000 liter indoor warm pool.
The results were outstanding.
It cleaned the pool and any fungi.
No more chlorine for my pool.
Remember that the coppersulphate will not dissappear like chorine.
You can't keep on adding.
I am sure my skin will absorb some of this coppersulphate.
Therefore I stopped drinking pills to get copper in my body.
I have no idea how much coppersulphate will be absorbed by my body.
I will watch for any after effects.
Any extra info will be wecomed.
Willem

I throw a couple of pennies in our incubators, the copper is enough to keep out any fungus. Much cheaper solution (learned from my very wise boss)

In our laboratory we use a 2% solution of chlorhexidine in the water pan to limit fungal contamination. We also disassemble the internal racks and autoclave them at 121 degrees C for 45 minutes monthly and clean the racks and internal chamber thoroughly with 0.5% chlorhexidine solution and 80% ethanol.  We also change the air filter 6 monthly.

We have few problems with fungi with this regime, and if we do it is never in the pan water, but in the cultures themselves.

hi Wingman, I was looking to buy this Aqua Clean. Do you know any supplier here in US. I saw the website and its a german company. It would be easy and quick if I get someone here in USA who is selling this. Thank you so much.