Careful Storage And Efficient Purchasing Preserve NFDM Media

Nonfat dry milk (NFDM) powder is often used as a medium for cultivating bacteria and as a blocking reagent. Storing this product shouldn't be too difficult, but you should store it correctly to make it last as long as possible. Incorrect storage can result in the powder being exposed to too much moisture or going bad. Knowing how to store the items and knowing how much your lab should realistically keep on hand both contribute to keeping the media in good, usable shape. 

Keep Storage Temperatures Moderate to Cold, Even for Unopened Dry Packs

Heat affects nonfat dry milk powder, no matter how it's stored. This is one of the most important parts of storing this media; you have to keep it at temperatures that are moderate at the warmest. Cooler is better. While powdered milk can be stored without refrigeration, prepared media meant for specific tests, like bacteria cultivation, might need to be refrigerated. Go with what the manufacturer requires for that particular brand of NFDM sample. But, even the powdered stuff needs to be kept cool and out of direct sunlight.

Keep the Packages in Sealed, Hard Storage

Much of the nonfat dry milk sold for lab use comes in sealed Mylar bags; some products come in individual doses that are in sealed plastic packages stored inside another sealed Mylar bag. Don't assume those can be thrown on a shelf. If your lab ever develops a rodent problem, you don't want pests chewing through the bags. And, if something causes the storage cabinet to topple, you don't want the Mylar to be crushed, spilling powder everywhere. Place the packets in hard storage containers that have locking lids.

Remember That It Does Have a Shelf Life

Dry milk, outside of the lab, is a food that is supposed to last a very long time. It's meant to be something you can keep for years without it going bad. The additional sealing and packaging you might find for lab-bound NFDM products may make it seem like those will last forever, but you have to remember that even they have a shelf life. How much you need will vary depending on the projects you do, and it's always helpful to have a few extra packages in your supply cabinet. But do your best to avoid over-ordering and ending up with too much.

Contact a nonfat dry milk media supplier to learn more.