title: Standard biobanking conditions prevent evaporation of body fluid samples.
abstract: Pre-analytical variation in biobanking procedures, e.g., long-term storage, could confound biomarker outcomes. We investigated evaporation in various body fluids at different storage temperatures and storage durations. Biobank sample tubes (Sarstedt 72.694.007) filled with water in different volumes (50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500μl) were stored at different temperatures (-80°C, -20°C, 4°C, room temperature (RT)) for 4.5years and weighed at regular intervals. Next, saliva, serum, plasma, and CSF were stored in different volumes (50, 250, 500, 1000μl) at different temperatures (-80°C, -20°C, 4°C, RT) for 2years. An extra set of CSF was stored in tubes with safe-lock cap (Eppendorf 0030 120.086) instead of a screw cap with o-ring. No evaporation of water stored in biobanking tubes at -80°C or -20°C occurred over 4.5years. Storage of saliva, serum, plasma, and CSF at -80°C or -20°C, monitored over 2years, protected these samples from evaporation too. At 4°C, evaporation was minor, approximately 1.5% (50μl) or 0% (1ml) yearly, where at RT it ranged from 38% (50μl) to 2% (1ml). Differences were observed neither between different body fluids, nor between tube caps. Our data provide support for long-term biobanking conform current biobanking guidelines, encouraging retrospective use of clinical cohorts.
authors: Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.willemse@vumc.nl.
authors: Eline A J
authors: EA
authors: Willemse
authors: Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marleen J A
authors: MJ
authors: Koel-Simmelink
authors: Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Sisi
authors: S
authors: Durieux-Lu
authors: Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Wiesje M
authors: WM
authors: van der Flier
authors: Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Charlotte E
authors: CE
authors: Teunissen
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D014835:Volatilization; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Biobanking; Body fluids; Evaporation; Long-term storage