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How to Choose Suitable Centrifuge Tubes?

In biological scientific research, centrifugation technology plays a crucial role, acting like a meticulous craftsman, decomposing complex biological samples into clearly distinguishable components. And the smooth progress of all this cannot be separated from a crucial consumable — the centrifuge tube. Faced with an array of centrifuge tube products on the market, how do you choose the one that best suits your experimental needs? Here is a detailed guide to selecting centrifuge tubes to help you make a choice effortlessly.


Capacity Matching


First of all, the choice of centrifuge tube capacity is crucial. From micro volumes of 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, to conventional 2 mL, 15 mL, 50 mL, and other specifications, each capacity corresponds to different application scenarios. Ensure the selected centrifuge tube can just accommodate your experimental samples, neither overflowing to prevent leakage nor too small to waste resources. A special reminder, when performing ultra-speed centrifugation, to prevent the centrifuge tube from deforming, it usually needs to be filled with liquid; this is a detail that requires special attention.


Material Consideration


The material of the centrifuge tube directly relates to its performance. Polypropylene (PP) is the first choice for most routine centrifugation experiments due to its excellent high-temperature and chemical corrosion resistance properties. While Polycarbonate (PC) has high transparency, it performs poorly in extreme temperatures or strong acid and alkaline environments, so caution should be exercised when choosing. In addition, disposable plastic centrifuge tubes are designed to ensure the accuracy of experimental results; repeated use may introduce unknown variables, affecting experimental conclusions.


Centrifugation Performance, Safety First


When selecting centrifuge tubes, it is crucial to understand their maximum allowable relative centrifugal force (RCF or x g). This indicator directly determines whether the centrifuge tube can withstand the strong centrifugal force generated during the experiment without breaking. Ensure that the selected centrifuge tube can easily meet your experimental needs and safeguard the safety of the experiment.


Sterility Traceability


For biological experiments, sterility and traceability are indispensable requirements. Choosing DNase and RNase-free centrifuge tubes can effectively prevent sample contamination, ensuring the accuracy of experimental results. Meanwhile, for GMP laboratories or research institutions, detailed information such as batch number, production date, and expiration date on the centrifuge tube is an important manifestation of compliance, helping to track and manage the experimental process.


Sealing and Compatibility


Finally, the sealing and compatibility of the centrifuge tube are details that cannot be ignored. Good sealing performance effectively prevents liquid leakage during centrifugation, while perfect compatibility with the laboratory's existing centrifuge rotor ensures the smooth progress of the experiment. When selecting centrifuge tubes, be sure to consider their compatibility with your laboratory equipment.