Have you tested the effect of inhibitors on PCR performance?
Yes. Please see Table 3 in our brochure Maximizing PCR and RT-PCR success. We tested the effects of different inhibitory substances in a number of PCR systems. We also analyzed the effect of including different volumes of reverse transcription (RT) reaction mixtures in PCR. Please see the table below for a list of commonly encountered template impurities and their inhibitory effects on PCR.
Impurities showing inhibitory effects on PCR
| Substance | Inhibitory concentration |
| SDS | >0.005% (w/v) |
| Phenol | >0.2% (v/v) |
| Ethanol | >1% (v/v) |
| Isopropanol | >1% (v/v) |
| Sodium Acetate | ≥5 mM |
| Sodium Chloride | ≥25 nM |
| EDTA | ≥0.5 mM |
| Hemoglobin | ≥1 mg/ml |
| Heparin | ≥0.15 i.U./ml |
| Urea | >20 mM |
| RT reaction mixture | ≥15% |