Grinding of Elephant Tusk in the Freezer/Mill®

Application: Cryogenic Grinding of Elephant Tusk for DNA Analysis

Introduction

The illegal ivory trade continues to drive elephant poaching. Large ivory seizures in Africa and Asia are still commonplace. Wildlife forensics is recognized as a key enforcement tool to combat this trade. Our Freezer/Mill, model CG-400, aids the process. DNA analysis of an ivory seizure is of vital importance in this regard. It involves pairing and sorting the tusks, sampling the tusks, powdering the sample, de-calcification, then DNA extraction. By employing a systematic approach, our CG-400 Freezer/Mill model aids the process of powdering and sampling, further facilitating the ease and efficiency in the DNA extraction process.

Elephant tusks, which are elongated incisor teeth, are composed of dentin, enamel, and cementum. The toughness of an elephant tusk is a result of the combination of these materials. The dentin provides the structural integrity and strength, while the enamel offers hardness and protection.

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