On the disruption of biochemical and biological assays by chemicals leaching from disposable laboratory plasticware

• Published in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology Vol. 90; no. 6; pp. 697 - 703
• Main Authors: OLIVIERI, Aldo, DEGENHARDT, Owen S, REID MCDONALD, G, NARANG, Deepak, PAULSEN, Isabelle M, KOZUSKA, Janna L, HOLT, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Plattsburgh, NY NRC Research Press 01.06.2012; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animals; antibacterials; antibactérien; bioactive leachates; Bioassays; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biological assay; Biological Assay - instrumentation; bisphenol A; bisphénol A; Chemical compounds; Chemical properties; Disposable Equipment; embouts de pipette; Equipment and supplies; Equipment Contamination; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Laboratories; Laboratory equipment; Leaching; lixiviat; microfuge tubes; pipette tips; plastic consumables; plasticizers; Plastics; Plastics - chemistry; plastifiants; plastique jetable; polypropylene; polypropylène; stabilisants; stabilisers; surfactants; tubes de microcentrifugeuse; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Canada; Bisphenol A; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0008-4212; 1205-7541
• DOI: 10.1139/y2012-049

Plastic consumables, used universally in bioscience laboratories, are presumed inert with respect to bioassay outcomes. However, it is clear that many pipette tips, microfuge tubes, and other plastic disposables leach bioactive compounds into assay solutions, profoundly affecting data and experimental interpretation. In this paper we discuss the nature and sources of leachates and review several examples of compromised bioassay data that speak to the probable widespread nature of this largely unrecognised source of error. Strategies for minimizing leachate interferences are discussed.