Cold-Chain Handling: How to Receive and Store Temperature-Sensitive Reagents

Enzymes, master mixes, antibodies and many assay kits lose activity if they warm up in transit. A few minutes of care at the receiving desk protects both your results and your budget.

Know the three temperature bands

• −20°C (frozen): polymerases, master mixes, many enzymes. Shipped with dry ice or frozen gel packs.
• 2–8°C (refrigerated): many antibodies, buffers and some kits. Shipped with chilled gel packs.
• Room temperature: most plastics, purification kits and dry reagents.

What to check when the box arrives

1. Open the parcel on the day of delivery — do not leave it at reception overnight.
2. Check that gel packs are still cold or dry ice is still present.
3. Match product codes, lot numbers and quantities against the invoice.
4. Note expiry dates and move items to the correct storage within minutes.
5. Photograph the packaging if anything looks wrong.

Report transit damage with unboxing photos within 48 hours of delivery so it can be resolved quickly.

Storing reagents after receipt

Label each item with the date received. Aliquot large volumes to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and keep a simple log of who opened what and when — it saves hours when you troubleshoot an assay later.

Ask for documentation

Certificates of Analysis (COA), datasheets and safety data sheets help with audits and accreditation. Request them with your quotation so they arrive with the goods.

How we ship

Infinity Bioscience dispatches temperature-sensitive products with appropriate insulated packaging from Mohali, Punjab to labs across India, and shares lot and COA details on request.