Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a new saliva collection kit, which provides a simple method for the collection of saliva.

The new Thermo Scientific SpeciMAX Stabilized Saliva Collection Kit includes an easy-to-use spill-resistant funnel as well as a screw cap to secure the sample after collection.

It also has an automation-friendly standard size saliva collection tube, that can fit into viral RNA extraction automation workflows to process the sample.

Thermo Fisher Scientific sample preparation vice-president and general manager Ellie Mahjubi said: “Labs need a non-invasive and non-hazardous collection kit that works with their current instruments.

“SpeciMAX Stabilized Saliva Collection Kits are compatible with downstream automation workflows to help reduce the costs and time of viral research.”

The kits streamline the entire process, from sample collection to laboratory workflows.

The company stated that the new kit complements its SpeciMAX Saliva Collection Kit for the collection of raw saliva, which was recently launched.

Both products require 1ml of saliva and the standardised collection tube can hold 6ml of sample volume.

The kit is individually packed in single-use peel pouches and allows easy distribution for high-throughput saliva collection.

It has a non-hazardous, virus-inactivating stabilisation agent which is compatible with all disinfection protocols and does not contain guanidinium or ethanol to avoid reactions with bleach.

The SpeciMAX stabilisation agent has the ability to preserve nucleic acid in saliva samples at ambient temperature.

The easy-to-use self-collection kits for SARS-CoV-2 virus studies make sample collection easier and facilitate clean saliva transfers, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination.