The cleaning principles of nucleic acid aerosol cleaning kits are mainly as follows:

Charge Alteration and Physical Wiping Effect

• Principle: The effective components in some cleaning solutions can work together to change the charge distribution of nucleic acids adsorbed on the surfaces of instruments and laboratory benches. This enhances the electrostatic repulsion between the nucleic acids and the adsorbed surfaces, facilitating the detachment of nucleic acids from the adsorbed surfaces. Meanwhile, the shearing force generated during the wiping process further dissociates the contaminating nucleic acids from the adsorption surfaces and incorporates them into the reagent system, thus achieving the effect of removing nucleic acid contamination on the surfaces. For example, PCR Cleaner functions based on this principle.
• Applicable Scenarios: It is applicable to the removal of nucleic acid aerosol contamination on various laboratory bench tops, the surfaces of instruments and equipment, such as the operation bench tops, centrifuges, pipettes and other equipment surfaces in PCR laboratories.

Adsorption and Sedimentation of Biological Macromolecules

• Principle: Certain biological macromolecules in the cleaning solution have a high affinity for nucleic acids and can adsorb and sediment nucleic acid molecules in the environment, thereby effectively removing nucleic acid contamination.
• Applicable Scenarios: It can be used for the removal of nucleic acid aerosols in laboratory spaces. By means of spraying, etc., the biological macromolecules in the cleaning solution combine with the nucleic acid aerosols in the air, causing them to sediment onto the ground or other surfaces, and then further cleaning can be carried out by wiping, etc.

Oxidation and Decomposition Effect

• Principle: Components such as peroxides in the cleaning solution have strong oxidizing properties and can decompose nucleic acid molecules through oxidation, destroying their chemical bonds and rendering the nucleic acids biologically inactive, thereby achieving the purpose of removing nucleic acid contamination. For example, the hypochlorite ions in sodium hypochlorite solution can react with the bases in nucleic acids, changing the base structures and also causing the breakage of nucleic acid chains. The active hydroxyl groups in hydrogen peroxide can also efficiently decompose nucleic acid pollution sources and molecular substances such as nucleases.
• Applicable Scenarios: It is commonly used for disinfection and nucleic acid removal in areas or items with relatively serious contamination, such as the cleaning of large areas like laboratory floors and walls, as well as the disinfection treatment of some experimental utensils that can tolerate oxidation.

Enzymatic Degradation Effect

• Principle: Specific enzymes are used to decompose nucleic acid molecules. For example, UNG enzyme (Uracil-N-Glycosylase) can degrade the uracil glycosidic bonds in double-stranded DNA or single-stranded DNA containing deoxyuracil nucleotides (du), thus inactivating the nucleic acids.
• Applicable Scenarios: It is mainly applicable to specific types of nucleic acid contamination. For example, in experiments using nucleic acid analogs containing uracil nucleotides, if contamination occurs, UNG enzyme can be used for treatment.

Acid-Base Hydrolysis Effect

• Principle: In a strongly acidic or strongly alkaline environment, the structure of nucleic acids will change, which will further accelerate the degradation of nucleic acids, thus realizing the removal of nucleic acid contamination.
• Applicable Scenarios: It is generally used for the treatment of nucleic acid contamination on the surfaces of experimental materials or equipment that have good acid-base resistance. However, since acid-base solutions may be corrosive, caution should be exercised during use to avoid damage to instruments and equipment.

Air Filtration and Adsorption Effect

• Principle: Nucleic acids are adsorbed by the filters in the air filtration system. Meanwhile, with the laboratory ventilation, the air containing nucleic acid aerosols continuously passes through the filters, and the nucleic acid particles are retained on the filters, thereby achieving the purpose of purifying the air and removing nucleic acid aerosols.
• Applicable Scenarios: It is applicable to the air purification of the overall laboratory environment. Especially when nucleic acid aerosols are continuously generated during the experiment process, it can effectively reduce the concentration of nucleic acid aerosols in the air and reduce the risk of their contaminating the experiment.

Can you provide more details about the cleaning process of nucleic acid aerosol cleaning kits?

Are there any specific safety precautions when using nucleic acid aerosol cleaning kits?

How often should nucleic acid aerosol cleaning kits be used to maintain laboratory cleanliness?