Fecal Collection Tubes for Microbiome and Nucleic Acid Preservation
Fecal collection tubes are pre-filled, single-use containers with an integrated collection spoon that stabilize DNA, RNA, and the gut microbial community profile of stool specimens at ambient temperature—no dry ice required. Zymo Research DNA/RNA Shield fecal tubes (R1101, 9 mL; R1137 with glass beads, 4 mL) preserve nucleic acids for 28 days at room temperature and render samples non-infectious for standard courier shipping.
MBP supplies Zymo Research fecal collection lines for gut microbiome, metatranscriptomics, and viral RNA surveillance studies, with PO ordering and bulk pricing for labs across the USA, Canada, and worldwide. Request a quote by contacting customerservice@mbpinc.net
Fecal Collection
What are Fecal Collection Tubes?
Fecal collection tubes are pre-filled, single-use containers for stabilizing DNA, RNA, and the microbial community profile of stool specimens at ambient temperature—eliminating the need for immediate freezing after collection. A spoon or spatula attached to the screw cap enables hygienic self-collection of approximately 200–500 mg of stool directly into the preservative. Tubes are used in gut microbiome research (16S rRNA, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics), intestinal pathogen surveillance, SARS-CoV-2 wastewater and fecal RNA detection, and colorectal disease biomarker studies. Choose fecal collection tubes with an RNA-stabilizing preservative (DNA/RNA Shield) when both DNA and RNA targets—or fragile viral RNA—must be preserved from stool specimens shipped at room temperature.
What you will find:
- Fecal collection tubes with stabilization preservatives for DNA/RNA preservation
- Stool sample collection kits with integrated sampling spoons or swabs
- Microbiome preservation tubes for sequencing and research applications
- Sterile fecal collection containers for clinical diagnostics
- Leak-proof transport tubes for safe sample handling
- Pathogen-inactivating collection systems for improved biosafety
How to Choose Fecal Collection Tubes
Preservative Chemistry
Zymo Research DNA/RNA Shield fecal tubes (catalog R1101, 9 mL fill) stabilize DNA and RNA and take a microbial snapshot at the time of collection by inactivating viruses and pathogens. Standard OMNIgene•GUT (DNA Genotek) tubes stabilize DNA for microbiome DNA profiling, but are not validated for RNA preservation. For any RNA target—metatranscriptomics, viral RNA, host gene expression in stool—choose DNA/RNA Shield-based tubes.
Bead Format vs. No Beads
Catalog R1101 is a 9 mL tube without beads for direct stool input, followed by vortexing. Catalog R1137 (4 mL, with 5 glass beads) facilitates mechanical homogenization of hard fecal pellets, particularly from mouse and non-human primate models. Choose the bead format when working with solid or compacted stool material requiring physical disruption before stabilization.
Tube Volume and Sample Input
Standard Zymo fecal tubes accommodate 200–500 mg of stool in 9 mL of reagent or 100–200 mg in 4 mL (bead format). Confirm fill volume against your extraction kit's minimum input. Over-filling exceeds the validated preservative-to-sample ratio and risks incomplete pathogen inactivation and nucleic acid degradation.
Downstream Application Compatibility
All DNA/RNA Shield fecal tubes are compatible with Zymo ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep, Quick-RNA, and Direct-zol kits without reagent removal. For third-party kits (QIAGEN PowerSoil, Thermo Fisher MagMAX), run a pilot test: residual Shield at high concentration may cause column inhibition in some bead-based soil kits.
Kit vs. Tube-Only Format
The Zymo Individual Fecal Collection Kit (R1101-K) packages one fecal tube, a Feces Catcher, gloves, and a biohazard bag in a sealed pouch—suitable for mailed at-home collection in population studies. The tube-only format (10-pack or 50-pack) suits high-throughput lab processing where accessories are managed separately.
Specifications Context
Zymo Research DNA/RNA Shield fecal tubes are 20 × 76 mm screw-cap polypropylene vessels with a spoon integrated into the cap. The reagent preserves nucleic acids for 28 days at ambient temperature (15–25 °C); samples can be frozen at −20 °C or −80 °C for long-term archival. SARS-CoV-2 RNA preservation in fecal samples using DNA/RNA Shield was evaluated in a 2021 Nature Communications study (Huber et al.) that benchmarked it against OMNIgene•GUT and unpreserved PBS controls, demonstrating superior viral RNA recovery after ambient-temperature storage. Fecal samples stabilized with DNA/RNA Shield are non-infectious and compatible with standard courier shipping under UN3373 and IATA P650. As of 2026, the ZR1101 and ZR1137 catalog numbers are available through MBP with direct PO ordering.
The MBP team can help match the right fecal collection solution to your laboratory workflow.
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