All about Cryopreservation: Applications, Cryovials, Avoiding Contamination

You place biological samples in ultra-low temperature refrigeration and intend to check on it only after a long time. How would you maximize safety and guarantee sample integrity under such conditions? That’s a bit too much of blind faith for a scientist or researcher.

This is your ultimate guide to cryopreservation and here we explore

What is Cryopreservation?

In simple terms, it is the process of storing biological material at ultra-low temperatures (usually at -196 degree celsius) in order to preserve it for a long period and stop any biological activity it may have during that time.

Now this is different from freezing which might be fatal for biological material as it changes the sample chemically because of intra- and extracellular ice crystals being formed.

Applications of Cryopreservation

This preservation technique finds extensive utility across various fields, including molecular biology, Stem cell biology, food science, plant physiology, and numerous medical applications. Notably, cryopreservation serves as a crucial method in:

Seed Bank: Safeguarding plant genetic diversity and rare seeds.
Gene Bank: Preserving genetic material for research and conservation purposes.
Blood Transfusion: Ensuring the availability of safe and compatible blood for transfusion.
In Vitro Fertilization: Facilitating assisted reproduction by preserving embryos and oocytes.
Organ Transplantation: Preserving organs for transplantation, extending the viability window.
Storage of Rare Germplasm: Protecting valuable genetic resources critical for agriculture and research.
Freezing of Cell Cultures: Preserving cell lines essential for various scientific studies.
Conservation of Endangered Plant Species: Aiding the preservation of threatened plant species.
Biodiversity Conservation: Contributing to the protection of various living organisms and ecosystems

Using Cryovials for cryopreservation

A cryovial is basically a “vial” or tube that is used to contain the biological samples intended for ultra-low temperature storage.

Now, this small container is probably one of the most important parts of cryopreservation. The integrity and safety of the samples depends highly on the quality of cryovial used. There are many things that can go wrong during this time.

Leakage of the bottle
Chemical reaction with the cryovial material
Other types of contamination
Loss of identification especially when more than one sample is stored.

Basically, the wrong choice of cryovials can result in the loss of years of priceless research and valuable biological material.

Protecting Sample Integrity in Cryovials

Ideally you should go for chemically resistant materials to avoid contamination of your samples. You can choose between plastic resin or glass. The difference being that plastics are easier to handle and are lightweight. But it is always safe to purchase tubes that are US FDA approved.

1. Adherence to cryopreservation protocol

The effectiveness of this method relies on various factors within the cryopreservation process. In addition to employing an optimized protocol and selecting the appropriate cryopreservation media for the specific cell type, you should stick to all the best practices.

2. Medical grade polypropylene for the cryovial material

Medical grade PP is resistant to stress, cracking, impact, fatigue and has a high melting point. Due to these properties, it becomes ideal for autoclaving. This material is also able to withstand ultra-low temperatures required for cryopreservation.

3. DNase, RNase and endotoxin-free

Goes without saying that cryovials should be contamination free to ensure safety of your samples. Ensure that these labels are not self-proclaimed and are actually tested with the right protocols and carry the right certifications.

4. External threading on the cryovial

One of the most common reasons for sample contamination is a faulty seal closure. Choosing externally threaded cryovials reduces this risk. The O ring gasket can also become an issue as it is on the inside of the cryovial and poses a risk of contamination.

5. Practical design

There are many design elements that make a cryovial ideal. For example, V bottoms for maximum sample recovery, quick seal closure and storage efficiency.

There are enough things to be careful about in any lab but a wobbly, unstable cryovial should not be one of them. A hepta foot bottom will provide more stability.

6. Clear identification patch and graduations

Even though this does not directly relate to protecting sample integrity, clear identification is important to help you manage your samples better. Considering the cryovials will be accessed after a long period of time, relying on memory is not your best bet. Choose a large patch where you can write legibly and cryovials that have clear graduations to assist you in measurements.

7. Leakproof Cryovials

There’s a specific test done to determine whether or not something is leakproof. Here, the bottle/tube is filled up to 80% of its capacity with coloured water. It is then inverted and placed inside a chamber which exerts a pressure of 715mmHg (95 kPa).

Any tube is only considered leak-proof if no leakage is seen even after putting it under these conditions. Not saying you have to be the one doing this test.

But when you purchase your cryovials, you should look for the ones that have passed this testing and are in fact leakproof.

Accumax Cryovials are meticulously designed to ensure convenience and sample integrity.

With a temperature stability of up to -196 degree celsius, Accumax cryovials are designed to maximize ease of use and protect sample integrity. Made with US FDA approved raw materials, our cryovials are ideal for storing biological material in cryopreservation.

Since our beginning in 2003, Accumax has come to become one of the largest producers of laboratory consumables globally and cater to customers in over 130 countries across the world.

Driven by a culture of change and innovation, we constantly strive to improvise on our technology, process and product quality to provide exceptional quality and precision.

Connect with our team for more information.

Aanak Goswami

Designation: Global Marketing Head.

12+ Years of experience in generating growth for organisations. Having customer management skills with experience of Research, Institutional, clinical diagnostics, Healthcare and Biopharma customers.