Tips on Selecting Centrifuge Tubes

Here’s what you need to know about centrifuge tubes and how to care for them.

The process of centrifugation is used in the separation of fluids during laboratory analysis. Most of the fluids are blood specimens, antibodies and biological samples. In each of the separation process of the components, there is a huge cost attached to it. Microcentrifuge tube is one of the equipment that you will use in the process. Selecting the best centrifuge tube to use in the process is therefore important. But what are some of the things that you need to put in mind to get the centrifuge tube that will help you achieve the best results? Here are the tips that you should put in mind.

Presence of Racks

The tubes should come with a rack so that it can be easy to keep them in a safe area. Styrene racks will also make it easier to use them efficiently. If it happens that you are not focusing on sterility, then you can get tubes in a bag. Sterility during the process should be a priority since you do not want the fluids to interfere. Racks will keep them safe and avoid interference with the results.

Compatibility of Material Used

The selection of the material that has been used in making the tubes is important. Materials can have different properties and the manufacturer should provide the specifications of each of the materials used. The common material used in making the tubes is polypropylene which is resistant to corrosion. The material is also durable meaning if you buy tubes made of the material, they will last for as long as compared to the ones that are not.

Volume Fills and Sizes

When you are using the tubes, underfilling or overfilling will affect the tubes in different ways such as collapsing or bursting during spinning. It can also cause a leakage which can pose a health hazard to the people who will come into contact with the fluids. A manufacturer will provide on the exact fill volumes of the tubes to avoid overfilling or underfilling. The size of the tube that you are using should be compatible with the centrifuge rotor. There are also manufacturers who provide rotors that can carry the various tubes.

Sterility of the Tubes

The centrifuge tubes are produced at a high temperature but you should be careful that even though they have been produced at a high temperature, it does not mean that they are sterile. Before using the tubes, always check to make sure that they are sterile. It is also good to ensure that the tubes have been kept in the aseptic environment if it happens that the pack has already been broken.

Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF) of Tubes

The manufacturers will always provide RCF for each of the tubes they manufacture. RCF is significant since it accounts for the gravitational force while RPM takes the rotor’s speeding speed. The prices of the tubes vary depending on the specification of each of the tubes. Always match the specification of the tube with your requirements to achieve effective results.

When you need to buy a microcentrifuge tube, make sure you get the one that meets all your requirements. Keep in mind the above tips so that you will carry out your laboratory analysis effectively.