Sampling and Storage

Prevent sample contamination by paper fibres, hair, animal har, mould infestation and other potential sources:
Handle small samples with tweezers or forceps, or through a clean plastic bag.
After sampling, dry and store the samples in a dry, dark location. Freeze wet samples.
Wrap dry samples in aluminum foil or place them in a plastic bag (avoid paper bags!). For small samples, use glass or plastic vials.
Provide each sample with a unique label on the outer surface of the bag/vial. Ensure all samples in the series are labeled.

For ceramic samples intended for lipid analysis, avoid contact with plastic bags. The recommended approach is to wrap ceramic samples in aluminum foil first, then place them in a paper bag. Ceramic fragments that have been glued, labelled, or washed with anything other than water are unsuitable for ORA. If you have any doubts, we offer on-site sampling services for your convenience.