Microcentrifuge Tubes are precision-engineered to support efficient sample centrifugation. The tubes and caps are both autoclavable. They are certified free of RNase, DNase, DNA, and pyrogens.
Globe offers a wide range of disposable microcentrifuge tubes in polypropylene or polyethylene, with or without attached caps. They are resistant to most chemical reagents and can be autoclaved.
Globe offers a wide selection of disposable polypropylene and polyethylene microcentrifuge tubes ranging from 0.5mL to 5mL. Each tube is molded with precise graduation marks to ensure accurate measurements, and they are highly resistant to most chemical reagents. They are also steam autoclavable and freezable. The frosted caps have flat, pierceable surfaces to allow for side labeling and fit all common rotors. These tubes are certified to be DNase, RNase, and pyrogen-free, and they have high-strength walls that will hold up to twice the g-force of most other microcentrifuge tubes.
These clear plug-cap microcentrifuge tubes are graduated and tolerate centrifugal forces up to 18,000 g. They are made from USP Class VI reusable plastic formulated with 20% circular economy, post-consumer recycled content to reduce environmental impact and waste. These tubes resist most chemical reagents and can be autoclaved to 121 deg C.
Snap Cap
The type of cap that a microcentrifuge tube has can significantly impact how it is used. The most common cap type is a snap cap, which closes with pressure, making a distinct snapping sound. This type of cap is ideal for applications that require a series of openings and closings, such as aliquoting samples for incubation. Another option is a screw cap, which is more secure but does not make a clicking noise when closed.
The color and clarity of a microcentrifuge tube can also have an impact on how it is used. Clear tubes are ideal for viewing the contents of the tube, while amber or black tubes can be used to store photosensitive reagents such as qPCR master mixes. Additionally, many manufacturers offer colored caps that match the tube body to prevent misidentification of the sample inside.
One factor that can have a significant impact on the cost of a microcentrifuge tube is its sterility. Sterility is typically achieved through g-radiation, which kills foreign microbes but can mutate or denature some proteins and nucleic acids. It is therefore important to purchase a product that has been treated to be RNase and DNase free.
In addition to a variety of sizes, there are several different materials from which a microcentrifuge tube can be made. Glass tubes are durable and can be sterilized by autoclaving, but they are more expensive than plastic tubes. Alternatively, polypropylene tubes are less expensive than glass and are durable enough for repeated use in the lab.
Another consideration is the material of a microcentrifuge tube’s cap. Some manufacturers manufacture tubes with caps made from recycled plastics, which helps reduce the waste produced by a laboratory and improves the overall ecological footprint of a lab. In addition to being environmentally responsible, this type of cap offers some advantages over traditional molded caps, including the ability to write on the cap with permanent marker and a syringe port that allows needles and syringes to be easily inserted and removed from the tube.
Lastly, it is worth considering the size of a microcentrifuge tube’s neck to help determine its compatibility with various pipettor tips. A larger neck will accommodate thicker tips, whereas a smaller neck will allow thinner tips to fit more easily.
Screw Cap
Unlike the snap cap that uses a circular, threaded seal to hold the lid of the tube in place, a screw cap utilizes square-shaped, rectangular threads for a stronger and more secure fit. This is important because the screw cap creates a seal that minimizes air and moisture infiltration that could damage the sample inside the tube. This feature is especially important when working with flammable, volatile or hazardous samples.
The square-shaped threads on the screw cap also minimize the risk of stripping, which could expose your samples to contamination and tampering. Most importantly, a screw-cap microcentrifuge tube provides a tight, leak-proof seal even when centrifuged at high G-forces. These features make a screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes ideal for use with fixed angle head microcentrifuges.
A variety of screw-cap microcentrifuge tube options are available. For example, Globe Scientific offers a line of disposable sterile 0.5mL to 2.0mL PP microcentrifuge tubes that are a great choice for your laboratory. These specialized microcentrifuge tubes are available with a selection of cap configurations, graduation options, and a loop-cap option for the 2.0mL version. In addition, they are autoclavable at 121°C and are RNase, DNase, and Pyrogen free.
Other microcentrifuge tube options include clear high grade gamma resistant PP that is ideal for freezer storage and tamper evident applications. These polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes have screw caps that accept color-coded inserts for easy identification. The caps are also designed with a silicone O-ring for a leak-proof seal, and they have a flat top surface that tethers the insert to the cap for a flush fit. These specialized microcentrifuge tube options are a great option for your laboratory because they are also tamper proof and certified to withstand 20,000 relative centrifugal forces (RCF).
As you shop for your next set of disposable microcentrifuge tubes, be sure to keep in mind the features that are most important to your specific application. This buying guide will help you understand the differences between tube capacities, cap types, tamper evident options, and sterility and autoclavability. With a little guidance, you’ll find the perfect microcentrifuge tubes for your lab.
Material
The material of a microcentrifuge tube can affect its performance. For example, some tubes are made from polypropylene, which is tough and durable under general and thermal demands. It is also resistant to most chemical reagents.
Another type of microcentrifuge tube is made from glass. Glass is brittle and can crack or shatter under certain conditions, so it must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Many laboratories choose to use disposable polypropylene or glass microcentrifuge tubes. These are typically cheaper than other materials, and they’re available with attached or loose caps.
The most important feature of a microcentrifuge tube is its capacity. A tube’s volume determines the amount of liquid it can hold, and the most common size is 1.5 mL. You should also consider the tube’s RCF rating, which is the maximum amount of outward force it can withstand when spun in a centrifuge at a specific speed. The higher the RCF rating, the faster you can spin a sample in the tube without risking damage or spills.
Microcentrifuge tubes are designed to be used in a range of applications including preparation, mixing, transferring, and storing samples, reagents, and purified DNA and DNA extracts. They are usually autoclavable and can be stored in low temperature conditions. These features make them ideal for transporting, archiving, and long-term storage.
When selecting a microcentrifuge tube, you should consider the cap type and RCF rating. You should also be sure that the product you’re buying is sterile and contains a certified expiry date. It’s also a good idea to choose a tube that is made from a material that can be sterilized with ethylene oxide and that has an appropriate RCF rating for your centrifuge.
Some microcentrifuge tubes are also available in a nuclease free format, which is helpful for handling sensitive nucleic acid samples. These products are screened to ensure they’re free from RNases and DNases, so you can be confident that your valuable samples will not be destroyed by these enzymes. Nuclease free products are especially useful for qPCR and next generation library prep applications.