xylene in eppendorf? - (Jul/03/2008 )

I am going to do nucleic acid extraction from paraffin embedded tissue.
The procedure that I came across (from a kit) says to add xylene to a 1.5ml or 2ml eppendorf as a first step.
I wondered though...wouldn't xylene dissolve the eppendorf...since it's just plastic?
And also regular pipette tips/disposable pipettes...?

Pipetting though i figure glass pipette can be used?
...but couldn't figure what to replace eppendorf...?!
I just really want to get this straight before i start!
THANKS for any input!

Seeing as it is a kit instruction, I would say, go with it. Normally, I would say test out the eppendorfs first. I suspect that they wouldn't dissolve immediately, you probably have half an hour or so before softening will occur.

There's no such thing as "just plastic".
Eppendorf tubes are made of polypropylene which is quite resistant to many chemical solvents.
Quick google search shows that most probably polypropylene is quite resistant to xylene, at least at room temperature.

As for replacement for Eppendorf tubes - you know there are test tubes made of glass, right?

go and don't be afraid of dissolving the eppendorf tube or the regular pipettes ..
in our lab we are used to using xylene
with paraffin embedded tissue and
nothing had ever happened

Eppendorfs or falcon tubes are fine, but the plastic serological pipets will dissolve in xylene or chloroform.

thank you all for resolving my concerns!