DNA decontamination chemistry - (Nov/04/2016 )

Hi all,

Could anyone point me to an explaination of the chemistry behind the use of 8% phosphoric acid in commercial DNA decontamination sprays? For example the Look Out DNA Erase spray from Sigma states that the active ingredients are a surfactant and 8% phosphoric acid.

Does the phosphoric acid break the DNA down to mono-nucleotides? Or even further?

Many thanks to all for any information!

Actually, according to this paper, it might actually be useless. They tested a different phosphoric acid-based DNA decontamination agent (DNA Remover, now PCR Clean), though. Worth a read anyway.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4943653/