How to keep vitamins for Phyto sterile?

[jjencek]

The F2 food for phyto in Europe is not cheap. So using the formula, I mix it myself, but my vitamin solution in the fridge grows mold like stuff on the surface. How do I keep it sterile without losing the benefit of the vitamins? These are the 3 vitamins ... thiamine HCl (B1), biotin (H), cyanocobalamin (B12 ).

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That’s a good question! Heat or chemical sterilization might denature the vitamins. I always just make up my f2 as needed.
I wonder about micropore cold sterilization?
Jay

 

[jjencek]

That’s a good question! Heat or chemical sterilization might denature the vitamins. I always just make up my f2 as needed.
I wonder about micropore cold sterilization?
Jay

Never thought of freezing it. I will look into it. How about UV ... would that hurt the vitamins?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Never thought of freezing it. I will look into it. How about UV ... would that hurt the vitamins?

Sorry - I should haver been clearer, not freezing, but rather, filtration through a micropore filter that has pores small enough to filter out bacteria. I thought about UV, but I didn't mention that because I don't know if UV will degrade vitamins.

Something like this (but these require some sort of pump/suction device):

Jay

 

[jjencek]

Sorry - I should haver been clearer, not freezing, but rather, filtration through a micropore filter that has pores small enough to filter out bacteria. I thought about UV, but I didn't mention that because I don't know if UV will degrade vitamins.

Something like this (but these require some sort of pump/suction device):

Jay

I did some reading. It looks like that is the way to sterilize the solution. But then I don't understand what is in the commercial F2 products they sell for phyto growing. They are usually in one or two bottles. They don't really say it has to be used up quickly. Are they not including vitamins but use only the other chemicals? Can phyto grown without vitamins be viable enough for zooplankton?

 

[Pistondog]

Never used anything but f2 to culture phyto, and it doesnt seem to spoil. Do you need the vitamins?

 

[jjencek]

Never used anything but f2 to culture phyto, and it doesnt seem to spoil. Do you need the vitamins?

I don't know. What is in your f2? When I was figuring out what f2 contains, I used info about the original Guillard's formula - it does include nitrate, phosphate, bunch of trace elements, and vitamins. I mix the vitamins into separate solution and it spoils in the fridge.

 

[Pistondog]

Im ignorant of what is in it. I buy it. I thought you were adding the vitamins in addition to.
Now i see the vitamins are ingredients in the f2

 

[jjencek]

Looks like some labs recommend freezing it to store it. So I made another 500 ml batch. Still too big, but my scale is not accurate enough to measure smaller quantities to make 100 ml. I then decided to make 20 ice cubes 2.5 ml each which is one dose for 10 L of phyto. I will vacuum pack those. I froze the rest in a single plastic bottle. I have no idea if that works, but I will try.