Cleaning the TPP+ electrodes

The PVC membranes of the ISE are generally only suitable for operation in aqueous media and are damaged by non-aqueous solvents. Therefore, the necessary washing steps between experiments have to be carefully optimized according to specific experimental regimes MiPNet15.03.

Standard cleaning procedure for TPP+ and reference electrodes

• Rinse the electrodes after use with water, dry with paper, rinse with absolute ethanol, again dry with paper and rinse with water again MiPNet15.03.
• Store in a separate falcon tube with a proper storage solution MiPNet15.03

After using inhibitors and uncouplers

It is suggested to put the electrodes rinsed with standard cleaning procedure into a falcon tube filled with distiled water for a while (15-30 min) and then put to the falcon tube with liver homogenate for 20-30 min. (Defrosted homogenate, mitochondria of cell cultures from previous experiments could be used for this purpose). Alternatively, the electrodes could be washed with liver homogenate or old mitochondria together with the chamber (inserted into the chamber like in an experiment).

!!! This procedure is probably absolutely necessary to get rid of all the inhibitors !!!

If this does not remove the inhibition problem the third option suggested in the manual G MiPNet15.03 MultiSensor-ISE is to actually immerse the TPP electrode in absolute ethanol for a few minutes (in the chamber, with stirring). However, afterwards the electrodes have to be tested and a reduced lifetime for the membranes is to be expected.