BioChemika Ultra (former MicroSelect)
| In October 2002 we changed the name of our MicroSelect quality to BioChemika Ultra. Please note that this is only a name change, the superior quality remained the same. |
Introduction
The BioChemika Ultra quality label has been assigned to a group of basic reagents with a well defined high purity. These reagents are principally used in biochemistry and life sciences.
BioChemika Ultra products are basic reagents destined for use in biochemical and biological techniques where large amounts of reagent are required in comparison to the quantities under investigation.
The BioChemika Ultra standard guarantees:
- a homogeneous appearance (form, colour
- a homogeneous and clear appearance in solution (solubility test)
- zero residue in the filter test
- limited UV absorbance at key biochemical wave-lengths
- the pH value of an aqueous solution within a defined range
BioChemika Ultra products are carefully handled so as to ensure a very high quality product at the time of packaging. Cross-contamination is avoided by packing BioChemika Ultra products in a controlled environment, void of both dust and moisture. Each package is securely scaled by screw cap and is identifiable by a unique batch number and packaging date.
BioChemika Ultra Tests
Solubility and Appearance in Solution
Solubility is usually checked in a 1 M test solution in water (Fluka No. 95304) at 20°C. Where appropriate, more diluted or more concentrated solutions in water or hydrochloric acid are used. The appearance of the solution is checked for absence of foreign color and is described as follows: Solubility: completely soluble, colorless (0.5 M in water, 20°C)
Checking for Insoluble Matter by Filter Test
Filter test results are the appropriate criteria for confirming the absence of insoluble matter. 20 ml of the test solution are filtered through a Millipore 0.45 mm filter membrane. After air drying the filter membrane is compared with a blank. This result is expressed as follows: Insoluble matter: passes filter test.
Ultraviolet Absorption (UV)
The UV absorption of the appropriate test solution is measured at wavelengths of 260 and 280 nm in a 1 cm quartz cell against the solvent. The figures are shown in dimensionless absorption units (OD). These results are given as: UV: A260< 0.02 A280< 0.01 (3 M in water).
pH of Solution
The pH of the test solution is measured by a combined glass electrode at 20°C. The results are given in pH units (-log [H+]). Very dilute solutions including those in hydrochloric acid are not determined. The result is expressed as follows: pH: 3.0-4.0 (0.5 M in water, 20°C)
BioChemika Ultra for Molecular Biology - New special quality
Definition
Products belonging to the group BioChemika Ultra for Molecular Biology are tested, in addition to the general BioChemika Ultra tests, for their suitability in molecular biology experiments. Fluka guarantees for its molecular biology reagents absence of the following enzyme traces:
- RNases
- DNases
- Phosphatases
- Proteases
Absence of the above mentioned enzyme traces is measured by the following methods:
RNase
RNase traces are determined by following the fluorescence decrease of the MS 2 RNA complex with a fluoresting RNA intercalator of the appropriate wave length.
DNase
DNase traces are measured by following the fluorescence decrease of a complex of the plasmid DNA with a fluorescing DNA intercalator.
Protease
Protease traces are checked by following the fluorescence increase in a system containing the substrate resorufin-casein.
Phosphatase
The tests for phosphatase traces are performed by measuring the fluorescence increase in a system containing the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate.
Analysis and Fluka Guarantee
In addition to the previously described tests (see BioChemika Ultra Standard and special quality for molecular biology), BioChemika Ultra products are subject to strict analysis in our laboratories to meet the indicated guarantee requirements (see Typical Product Entry). The following list provides information on the most important method. | 
