Abstract/Summary

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an increasingly popular, sensitive, and cost-efficient method for studying biodiversity and detecting species. This non-invasive approach involves collecting environmental samples that contain genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings. Due to the method’s sensitivity, robust decontamination strategies are crucial, with sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach, frequently employed. Despite its widespread use, there is no consensus on the most effective bleach concentration, leading to inconsistencies in how the chemical is used in research. This study aimed to determine the minimum concentration of bleach needed for effective decontamination. Genomic DNA of signal crayfish was treated with various concentrations of bleach, ranging from 0.01% to 5% (w/w). Results were observed using Qubit High Sensitivity reagents, quantitative PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and the Agilent TapeStation. Our results indicate that a minimum concentration of 0.5% (w/w) bleach is sufficient to prevent the detection of genomic DNA by the techniques tested. These results provide important insights into the use of bleach for decontamination in eDNA research. Establishing a standard bleach concentration for decontamination protocols will help to reduce inconsistencies and enhance the reliability of eDNA studies.