Usage Methods and Precautions for Saliva DNA Collection Cards

Usage Methods

1. Preparation: Before using the saliva DNA collection card, make sure that the card is intact and free from moisture, contamination, etc. Meanwhile, prepare the tools needed for saliva collection, such as sterile collection swabs and collection tubes. Ask the person being sampled to rinse their mouth with clean water to remove food residues and impurities in the oral cavity.
2. Saliva Collection: Let the person being sampled naturally secrete saliva and spit it into a sterile collection tube. Generally, it is recommended to collect 2 – 3 milliliters of saliva. Alternatively, you can use a sterile collection swab to gently swab the inner cheek mucosa of the person being sampled to obtain oral epithelial cells, and then put the swab into the collection tube.
3. Sample Transfer: Use the Matching pipettes or dropper to aspirate the saliva in the collection tube and evenly drip it onto the sample collection area of the saliva DNA collection card. Pay attention to the appropriate amount of saliva dripped to avoid uneven sample diffusion or insufficient adsorption due to too much or too little saliva.
4. Drying Treatment: Place the collection card with saliva dripped on it horizontally in a well-ventilated place and let it dry naturally or dry it in an incubator at a temperature below 37 °C. During the drying process, avoid direct sunlight and high-temperature baking to prevent DNA degradation.
5. Sample Preservation and Transportation: After the collection card is completely dried, put it into a sealed bag and label the sample information, such as the name of the person being sampled, the collection time, and the sample number. Store the sealed collection card in a cool and dry place or store it at a low temperature according to relevant requirements. During transportation, pay attention to avoiding violent vibration and collision to ensure the integrity of the sample.

Precautions

• Before Collection
  • Dietary Restrictions: Within 30 minutes before collection, the person being sampled should avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or drinking alcohol, so as not to affect the content and quality of DNA in saliva.
  • Oral Hygiene: Before collection, make sure that the person being sampled has a clean mouth. If there are oral ulcers, gum bleeding, or other conditions, the collection should be postponed until they heal, so as to avoid blood mixing with saliva and affecting the test results.
• During Collection
  • Standard Operation: Strictly follow the instructions for using the collection card to ensure that the collection process is sterile and free from contamination. When using the collection swab, be gentle to avoid damaging the oral mucosa.
  • Sample Volume: The volume of the collected saliva sample should be sufficient to ensure that the collection card can fully absorb the DNA, but it should not be too much to avoid sample overflow or uneven diffusion.
• After Collection
  • Complete Drying: During the drying process of the collection card, make sure that it is completely dried. Otherwise, the remaining moisture may lead to DNA degradation or the growth of microorganisms, which will affect the test results.
  • Proper Preservation: The collection card should be stored in a suitable environment to avoid moisture, heat, and contamination. For long-term storage, it is recommended to store it at -20 °C or lower and regularly check the preservation status of the samples.
  • Safe Transportation: When transporting the collection card, choose appropriate transportation methods and packaging materials to ensure that the sample is not damaged during transportation.