Stool Sample Collection Instructions

The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a dense population of microbes including bacteria, archaea, microbial eukaryotes, and viruses. The composition of the intestinal microbiota varies from one individual to another, which is specific to people of different ages, diet habits, and health conditions, and plays an essential role in regulating and maintaining host homeostasis. Feces are the most accessible gut microbial research specimens that provide abundant and significant information on gut microbial composition. Analysis on fecal samples can often help with disease diagnosis and therapeutic intervention, suggest health maintaining, and develop microbial reservoir.

This fecal sample collection and handling instruction demonstrates how to obtain animal or human fecal samples for lab research.

Stool Sample Collection Products

MicroCollect™ Stool Swab Suite

MicroCollect™ Sterile Fecal
Collection Container

MicroCollect™ Stool Collection
and Preservation Device

How to Collect Fecal Samples

Products	MicroCollect™ Stool Swab Suite	MicroCollect™ Sterile Fecal Collection Container	MicroCollect™ Stool Collection and Preservation Device
Kit Component	swab/spoon; collection and preservation tube; preservative; collection paper; nitrile gloves	sterile stool collection container with spoon (60 ml / 30 mL) / Sterile stool collection container without spoon (60 ml)	collection and preservation tube with a flocked swab/spoon attached to the lid; nitrile gloves; preservative; collection paper
Basic Instructions	1. Clean your hands before sampling and wear the provided gloves. 2. Label each container. 3. Collect the stool specimen using the provided collection paper. 4. Transfer the stool into the collection and preservation tube using the spoon/swab. 4. Mix the sample gently and ensure the stool is submerged under the preservative.	1. Clean your hands. 2. Label each container. 3. Loosen the lid and collect the sample. Do not overfill. 4. Seal the lid tightly after sampling. 4. The collected sample can then be used for conventional excreta test or metagenomics analysis.	1. Clean your hands before sampling and wear the provided gloves. 2. Label each device. 3. Collect the stool specimen using the provided collection paper. 4. Transfer the stool into the collection and preservation tube using the spoon/swab. 5. Mix the sample gently and ensure the stool is submerged under the preservative.

Sample Collection Suggestions

The sample collection steps are strongly recommended to be performed under BSL-2 conditions.
The specimens should be frozen then shipped with dry ice.
The specimens should be processed as soon as possible (NO MORE THAN 7 days).

* For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures or other clinical purposes.