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Nebula
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Registered: 10/22/07
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How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated
#7658761 - 11/20/07 11:42 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I'm currently flame sterilizing the needle of my syringe, but I'd rather use alcohol from now on 'cause I'm planning to use a glovebox. I want to use a 96% alcohol solution (this is the highest percentage I could get). After flame sterilizing, you need to wait 20 to 30 seconds until the needle has cooled down. But how long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated? I don't want kill spores by alcohol you see.
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BUDDHA_702
Master Mycologist In Training



Registered: 02/17/07
Posts: 1,296
Loc: Some Country
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Re: How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated [Re: Nebula]
#7658773 - 11/20/07 11:46 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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After the needle is cool squirt out a little spore solution. Better safe than sorry
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MarlboroMan
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Re: How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated [Re: Nebula]
#7658792 - 11/20/07 11:55 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Nebula said: I'm currently flame sterilizing the needle of my syringe, but I'd rather use alcohol from now on 'cause I'm planning to use a glovebox.
I would really recommend sticking to the flame sterilizing. It is a much more sure fire way of disinfecting. Not only does it kill possible contams on the outside of needle, but also on the inside. Alcohol will only get a portion of the contams on the outside. The way alcohol works is by moving air to quickly wick it away, and I doubt there is much moving air in your glovebox. Just be sure not to use both in the glovebox or you might have a small explosion lol.
-------------------- I'll make it to the moon if I have to crawl..
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
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Re: How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated [Re: MarlboroMan]
#7658837 - 11/20/07 12:08 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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First things first. 96% alcohol is a terrible sanitizer, but a pretty good fuel. For a cell to be destroyed by alcohol, the alcohol must be admitted into the cell via osmosis. However, cells are very good at keeping out substances that would kill them. That's why we mix water with the alcohol. The water 'tricks' the cell wall into admitting the alcohol, and then it kills the cell when it evaporates back out again. Use 70% alcohol for best results.
However, alcohol will do nothing against the contaminants that are INside the needle, so you'd be injecting them right into your substrate. Use flame sterilization, and there is no need to wait for the needle to cool. It will cool enough on the way from the flame to the jar, and the first drop or two of solution will finish cooling the needle so that the rest can flow cleanly. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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galadar


Registered: 05/09/07
Posts: 981
Loc: in a monotub!
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Re: How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated [Re: RogerRabbit]
#7658914 - 11/20/07 12:33 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
RogerRabbit said: First things first. 96% alcohol is a terrible sanitizer, but a pretty good fuel. For a cell to be destroyed by alcohol, the alcohol must be admitted into the cell via osmosis. However, cells are very good at keeping out substances that would kill them. That's why we mix water with the alcohol. The water 'tricks' the cell wall into admitting the alcohol, and then it kills the cell when it evaporates back out again. Use 70% alcohol for best results.
wow never thought about that. good one. and its cheaper haha
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Nebula
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Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 172
Last seen: 15 years, 11 months
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Re: How long do you have to wait until the alcohol has evaporated [Re: galadar]
#7658985 - 11/20/07 01:01 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks a lot RogerRabbit and Marlboroman! I never thought I'd have to use a 70% solution, but you're explanation makes sense RR. I'll also continue flame sterilizing - the reason I didn't want that is because I'm afraid it might melt the lid somewhat if I flame sterilize the needle inside the glovebox. So I guess I have to flame it outside the glovebox and put it into the glovebox while it's still hot. And I'll use the (70%) alcohol for cleaning the box etc. Does this make sense? BTW, can I still use the 96% solution for an alcohol lamp (I'm planning to buy)?
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