Displayed below is the difference in ladder peak height using formamide with low conductivity (upper electropheragram) and data using formamide with high conductivity (lower electropheragram).

Electrokinetic injection does not discriminate between charged DNA fragments and formate ions; both of these charged particles compete for injection. In the presence of formate ions, the result is fewer DNA fragments being injected into the capillary due to competition. As shown in the figure above, the effect of preferential formate ion injection can be extremely detrimental. In addition, signal can be decreased for samples with high salt concentrations. By adding a very small amount of amplified product in the presence of formamide, the salts in a sample are very dilute.

Resolution is another means to evaluate the quality of formamide. The resolution is a measure of how well the peaks are separated. The overall performance of the capillary and all reagents used in the electrophoresis can be assessed by monitoring resolution.^02, 03 In order to make discrete allele calls, the system must be able to resolve to the base pair. Low-quality formamide can prevent this single-base-pair resolution.

There is no longer the need for laboratories to conduct quality control testing when using ultrapure products such as HiDi™ formamide (Applied Biosystems). For example, this product, has stabilizers present to maintain a low measured conductivity of 5 µS/cm.

High-quality formamide should:

• Be greater than 99% pure
• Have a minimum conductivity of 100 µS/cm
• Have low water content
• Be packed under inert gas

Continued exposure to air and subjection to multiple freeze-thaw cycles can cause the formamide to breakdown. It is suggested that aliquots of formamide stored in frost-free freezers be placed in thermal ice blocks to protect from temperature cycling.

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