At what temperature should samples be refrigerated in degrees Fahrenheit?

Refrigerating samples at 39 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal because this temperature is commonly recognized as the optimal range to slow down microbial growth while preserving the integrity of the sample. Many laboratory protocols recommend a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit (or approximately 4 degrees Celsius) for the storage of various biological and chemical samples, including water samples, to ensure that they remain stable and representative of their original state during the analysis period.

This temperature helps maintain the quality of the samples by reducing the activity of bacteria and other organisms that could otherwise alter the sample's characteristics. While 32 degrees Fahrenheit is the freezing point of water, freezing samples can cause cell lysis or other physical changes that may distort test results. Other temperatures like 45 degrees and 50 degrees Fahrenheit may not effectively inhibit microbial activity, leading to potential contamination and degradation of the samples, which would compromise the accuracy of any subsequent testing.