Homemade Nucleic Acid Preservation Buffer Proves Effective in Preserving the Equine Faecal Microbiota over Time at Ambient Temperatures.
- Journal Article
Summary
The study investigated four preservation methods for horse fecal samples at room temperature and found that homemade nucleic acid preservation buffer was able to effectively preserve microbial diversity and structure over an extended time period.
Research Goals
In medical and veterinary sciences, fecal samples are often used to analyze the microbial community within an organism, which can help assess its health or diagnose diseases. However, these samples can degrade if not properly preserved, affecting the accuracy of results. This study aimed to analyze and compare the effectiveness of four preservation treatments for horse fecal samples:
- “COLD” – storage with a cool pack
- “CLX” – treatment with 2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution
- “NAP” – treatment with nucleic acid preservation buffer
- “FTA” – storage on Whatman FTA™ cards
Methodology
Horse fecal samples were taken from ten horses and subjected to the four preservation treatments. These were stored at room temperature for varying periods up to 150 hours. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the research team analyzed the effect of the treatments over time on both microbial diversity and the differential abundance of taxa.
Results and Conclusion
The study found that, of the four treatments, NAP (nucleic acid preservation buffer) was the most effective at preserving diversity and community structure over a lengthy period. Specifically, it prevented the overgrowth of bloom taxa that happened by 72 hours at room temperature. While the treatments using a cool pack (COLD) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CLX) were efficient in preserving the fecal samples up to 24 hours, they didn’t prevent community changes that appeared by 72 hours in the room temperature. The Whatman FTA™ card method (FTA) was associated with reduced diversity and a lowered presence of Fibrobacterota.
Thus, the research concluded that for the short-term preservation of equine fecal samples (up to 24 hours), the COLD, NAP, and CLX methods are suitable. However, for longer-term preservation (up to 150 hours), NAP buffer is the recommended method.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK.
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK.
- Department of Rural Land Use, Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK.
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK.
- School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK.
- School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK.
Grant Funding
- Mars Petcare UK / Mars Petcare UK
- Scottish Funding Council Research Excellence Grant (REG) / Scottish Funding Council Research Excellence Grant (REG)
Conflict of Interest Statement
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