All You Need To Know About Serological Pipettes

WHAT ARE PIPETTES?

Pipettes are instruments used in laboratories and hospitals. A pipette’s main purpose is to transport and measure liquid quantities. This makes it possible for scientists and lab technicians to transport liquids safely. Pipettes allow people to measure liquids in a controlled and regulated manner without risking exposure to the user. Pipettes also reduce mistakes like volume loss inside a sample. The majority of pipette tips are made of hydrophobic materials, which ensure that all liquid is transferred out of the pipette. When it comes to maintaining a specific volume for a test, low retention is crucial.

Pipettes range from simple droppers to highly calibrated machines capable of capturing minute amounts of samples. This implies that pipettes come in a wide range of sizes, the same as the Erlenmeyer flask, to handle just about any volume, making them a useful instrument in the lab. Pipettes and pipette are not the same things. They’re lengthy glass or plastic tubes that need a pipe aid to provide the suction force needed to absorb large amounts of liquid. Even though these two instruments are slightly different, they are both equally significant.

DIFFERENT USES OF PIPETTES

Pipettes can be used in a variety of situations, and every scenario requires different types of pipette tips. There are frequent applications of pipettes in the tests, such as working with RNA and DNA samples, cell cultures, or when the high priority is sterility. In pipette tips, there are plenty of features such as long, short, and wide openings. These characteristics allow the handler to reach the bottom of a lengthy test tube, make maneuvering easier, and treat fragile cells with care. The pipette’s body uses vacuum suction to pull up controlled volumes of liquid. These liquids remain in the disposable tip section of the pipette.

FILTERED AND UNFILTERED PIPETTE TIPS

Filtered pipette tips can be used only once. They’re composed of high-quality plastic that allows liquids to flow freely. These tips protect liquids from aspirating into the barrel and avoid contamination. Filtered tips are also helpful in training new members of the lab. The filter is attached to the pipette at the back of the tip. Confining the liquid behind the filter, it creates a barrier between the material and the pipette. There is no barrier to prevent infection on unfiltered tips. These tips thrive in instances where there is a decreased chance of producing aerosols in the pipette’s lower half.

ROBOTIC TIPS

In circumstances where the handling of a liquid is automated, robotic pipette tips are used. Robotic pipette tips are often designed for nano or microliter quantities and a large number of samples. These tips are available in both filtered and unfiltered versions, making them ideal for testing applications requiring a large number of samples.

Robotic tips are used when liquids at precise volumes are required repeatedly, making hand pipetting tedious and impractical. Robotic pipetting can save time and money in a lab by delegating the time-consuming task of pipetting liquids to the robotic module.

SEROLOGICAL PIPETTES

Serological pipettes are one of the most versatile pipettes in the lab, having a wide range of applications. They’re useful for transferring liquids, mixing solutions, and layering chemicals of varying densities. Serological pipettes are available in a variety of materials, including disposable plastic and glass, as well as autoclavable glass. Being able to sterilize pipettes can assist save on repeating lab expenditures, especially if the test doesn’t need to be completely free of contaminants. Serological pipettes often have gradation markers on the sides for precise measurements and are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1 ml to 100 ml. These pipettes are made of materials that will keep sensitive samples, such as cells, bacteria, and other biological entities that are susceptible to chemical interactions.

Commonly found and used in most laboratories, serological pipettes are excellent tools for precisely measuring and transferring minute volumes of liquid with a good range of 1 milliliter to 50 milliliters. A serological pipette is available in multiple designs and different forms,  such as plastic, sterile, reusable, and glass. They provide you with multiple options for the laboratory. To give you a better understanding of what they are and what makes them a better option than standard pipettes,  we’ve made this helpful guide about the types and advantages of serological pipettes. We will be reviewing:

Types Of Serological Pipettes:

There are three primary types of serological pipettes. Each type of pipette is specifically designed for its respective applications. Here is a list:

Open-End Pipettes

Featuring an open-end, these pipettes are specially designed to allow quick and easy aspiration as well as dispensing. Especially when handling high-viscosity liquids. Their fast filling and releasing rate is what makes them ideal for use with oils, cosmetics, paint, sludge, food, and cell culture applications. The material used for the manufacture of open-ended pipettes is polystyrene plastic, making them a safer alternative to glass pipettes. Due to the presence of a fiber filter plug located at the end of the pipette tip, Liquid vapor and fluid contamination to the pipettor and sample are majorly reduced with their use. Available in 1 mL, 2 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL sizes, Open-end pipettes are non-pyrogenic pipettes sterilized by gamma irradiation and come separately covered in thermoformed paper/plastic peel packaging. 

Bacteriological Pipettes

Designed for use in the dairy field, bacteriological pipettes are standard for dairy examination. They are primarily used to examine dairy products, milk, etc. These polystyrene pipettes are sterile, non-pyrogenic, and appropriate for single use. Coming in 1.1 mL and 2.2 mL sizes, these bacteriological pipettes are sterilized by gamma irradiation and utilize a fiber filter to prevent fluid and liquid-vapor contamination in samples and the pipette’s internal mechanism. 

Aspirating Pipettes

Unlike the other two types, aspirating pipettes are entirely transparent and do not have gradations. These pipettes are used in various applications, such as vacuum or pipettor aspiration procedures. They are non-pyrogenic, non-plugged polystyrene pipettes suitable for single-use and a safer alternative to glass Pasteur pipettes.

Like open-end and bacteriological pipettes, These pipettes also come wrapped in thermoformed covering to avoid contamination. Also, these pipettes have a remarkable sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6. (Universal Medical)

Advantages Of Serological Pipettes:

Now that you know about the different types of serological pipettes, you must know about the advantages Serological pipettes have to offer:

• Available in single-piece structure

These pipettes are manufactured using one single smooth piece of FDA-grade polystyrene plastic, eliminating the need for solder joints common in other pipettes. Some pipettes come with welded tips and mouthparts in the pipette body. These “welded spots” are capable of causing errors by trapping liquid. On the other hand, Serological pipettes have a seamless design that eliminates the possibility of residual liquid. Also, this unique design provides a faster filling and release rate, ensuring complete flow and higher accuracy.

•  Easy to handle:

Serological pipettes have a shorter body than most other pipette types, making them easier to handle and move throughout the laboratory. You’ll experience that when working for long hours in the laboratory, it’ll be easier with serological pipettes.

•  Convenient design:

Their flawless, specially designed tip can hold more viscous liquid, making them an excellent option for experiments that involve oils, paints, sludge, cell culture, etc. They have an inner diameter ranging from 1.56 mm for 1 mL to 4.50 mm for 25 mL.

• Packaging and compatibility:

Serological pipettes come pre-sterilized and are usually disposable. They are commonly available in pre-packaged bulk quantities between 25 and 50. All serological pipettes are specially designed to fit and work with electronic pipette controllers and pipettes, an excellent example of their universal compactness. (BALLYA)

Things You Must Know Before Using Serological Pipettes

A variety of factors influence the precision and accuracy of serological pipets. The results are meaningless unless they are accurate. Pipettes must provide a reading close to the nominal or true volume as determined by the volume setting.

Precision refers to the ability to repeat a test and get the same results each time. The results of the repeated tests must fall within a certain standard deviation. When testing, it is critical to record environmental and liquid variations. The following factors can have an impact on the precision and accuracy of your results.

1. Density

The volume density of a liquid (mass/volume ratio) influences aspiration into the tip. Aspirate a small volume of a denser-than-water density and an equal volume of water to test this. The gravity, flexibility, and amount of dead air volume on Earth all impact the results.

2. The temperature

Temperature also has an impact on the density of liquids. This affects pipetting accuracy. The temperature difference between the liquid and the delivery device has a significant impact on the results. Between the piston and the liquid surface, the dead air volume (air gap) expands. As a result, the amount of liquid aspirated into the tip changes. As a result, the accuracy and precision of your results are compromised.

3. Altitude

At various geographic altitudes, air pressure changes. Because high altitudes reduce air pressure, the conversion factor Z decreases. At certain altitudes, the boiling point of some liquids can approach room temperature. This will result in a significant increase in evaporation loss.

Choosing The Correct Pipette Size

It’s critical to choose the right tool for measuring each volume to ensure accuracy and precision. To reduce errors, always use the smallest pipet that is appropriate for the job. A 5 mL serological pipette is more accurate than a 10 mL pipette when measuring 4.5 mL of liquid. If you’re working with very small volumes, a small pipet will suffice. As a result, a serological pipette of 2ml or similar size is frequently preferable. Its small diameter and precise graduations reduce errors in judging the meniscus of the sample. (Marathon LS)

Sizes of Serological Pipettes Most Commonly Used

The following are the most common volumetric pipettes:

• pipette serological 10 mL
• serological pipette (25 mL)
• Serological pipette (50 mL)

Reading Volumes & Measurements Through Serological pipettes

It is imperative that the technician handling serological pipettes has adequate knowledge to read volumes and measure fluids. Here’s how you can ensure precise reading if you take care of these factors:

• The part below the meniscus should be read when the pipettes is fully loaded. The meniscus forms at the top portion of the liquid column.
• To obtain a precise reading, the handler must look at the pipettes at eye level.
• Hold the pipettes at precisely a right angle to the floor.

Dispensation & Aspiration Through Serological pipettes

The fundamental means to transfer fluids via mouth pipettes is not recommended as this method is obsolete and also poses the risk of the technician accidentally consuming the fluid.

On the contrary, using a bulb or a pump is safe. Bulbs can transfer a less specific amount of liquid, whereas, on the other hand, the pump allows the transfer in a precise amount. The pump has two triggers; one facilitates dispensing and the other is used for aspiring.

Benefits of Using Serological Pipettes

Some benefits of using these high-quality pipettes include:

• They are extremely suitable due to their optical optimization
• They ensure volume accuracy
• They provide transparent ascending and descending graduation.

These pipettes are disposable and sterilized. Their packing is done between 25 to 50 and is designed to fit motorized pipettes and pipette aids.

Serological pipettes allow accurate fluid dispensation and reduce the chance of contamination simultaneously. At MBP, we have the finest quality 25ml and 50ml serological pipettes available. These pipettes will make your laboratory testing precise, making your experimentation accurate.

Factors You Should Keep In Mind When Selecting Serological Pipettes

Knowing The Nature Of Your Experiment

Before purchasing serological pipettes, you must be aware of your experiment’s nature and whether there is a need for serological pipettes or not. The serological pipette is useful for transferring liquids between vessels, mixing chemical solutions, or laying reagents of varying densities.

Choosing The Correct Type:

Serological pipettes are available in three types; Open-End, Bacteriological, and Aspirating. This too depends on the nature of your experiment therefore, you should choose the type best suitable for your experiment.

Knowing The Precision Of A Serological Pipette

Serological pipettes are only as precise as their smallest increments, which are typically a few millimeters (0.1 mL for those that are 2 mL). If your research requires high precision, we recommend combining your serological laboratory pipette with a micropipette.

Differences Between Volumetric And Graduated Pipettes

A pipette is a popular laboratory tool for transferring and dispensing fixed volumes of liquid. Pipettes are available in various styles, each with its own set of intended functions, construction, and usage requirements. Volumetric and graduated pipettes are two of the most prevalent types of pipettes, and both may be found in most laboratories and research institutes. However, there are significant differences between them, and each type of pipette has specific advantages and disadvantages, making it critical to understand the functions of each before use.

Both instruments are designed to move small, measurable amounts of a liquid solution. However, there are differences in precision, delineation styles, and volume capacity. Graduated pipettes like Serological Pipets allow varied liquid measurements to be transported from one location to another. A volumetric pipette can only transfer a particular (or fixed) amount of solution.

Volumetric Pipette

Volumetric pipettes (also known as bulb or belly pipettes) are slender pipettes with high precision. Individuals who analyze reactions or investigate chemical or biological properties generally utilize these pipettes. They are ideally suited for acute measurements since they may be calibrated to produce a precisely fixed volume of liquid with a precision of up to four significant figures.

The absolute benefit of a volumetric pipette is its precision. It is exceptionally accurate when delivering solutions because of the thin neck of the build. This permits the meniscus to be read more precisely, resulting in more exact findings than graduated pipettes.

Standard volumetric pipettes are available in a range of fixed sizes, including 1 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml, and up to 50 ml. Variable volume pipettes, which are volumetric pipettes with an adjustment system that lowers the time and negligibility associated with selecting accurate volumes, are also available. These use a click-stop digital mechanism, are available in several sizes, and are simple to calibrate and maintain.

Pros And Cons Of Volumetric Pipettes

Volumetric pipettes have the following features:

Pros:

• Extremely accurate
• Easy to use
• Available in a variety of fixed sizes
• Variable volume increase accuracy and usability

Cons:

• They are costly.
• Measurements are fixed, the user may need a variety of volumetric pipettes for a range of lab procedures that require various volume sizes.

Graduated Pipettes

Pipettes with graduated volume increments are those that have labeled volume increments alongside the tube. These pipettes come in various shapes and sizes and are frequently used for basic solution transfers. They are often made of glass or strong plastic and have a tapered tip. Graduated pipettes are categorized into three types based on their construction: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 1 pipettes deliver partially deliverable solutions at all volumes, Type 2 pipettes have a nominal value at the top and zero at the bottom, and Type 3 pipettes deliver the solution totally but only at the nominal value.

They are also divided into three classes based on their accuracy: Class A, Class AS, and Class B. Class A and AS pipettes have specified error limitations. However, Class B pipettes can be less accurate since they allow twice the error limits as the two preceding classes.

Types Of Graduated Pipettes

Mohr pipettes and serological pipettes are the two most common types of graduated pipettes. Both include bi-directional graduations and are designed to deliver volumes with varying accuracy. These pipettes contain color-coded stripes for easy identification.

Transfer Graduated Pipettes

Small graduated transfer pipettes are another popular type of graduated pipette. These are suitable for one-time use liquid transfers. The one-piece polyethylene pipettes are indestructible and sterile, making them ideal for working with tissue culture applications, microbiology, or hematology. Small transfer pipettes enable precise drops and reproducible spotting.

Pros And Cons Of Graduated Pipettes

Graduated pipettes have the following features:

Pros

• Various types: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.
• Classes
• Clear labels
• Can be used for large amounts
• Cost efficient

Cons

• Not as accurate as volumetric pipettes.
• Accuracy varies among classes and types.
• Volume delivery varies.
• Wider chances of human error.

To Wrap Up:

Keeping all this in mind, you can make a well-informed choice between standard and serological pipettes. Using Serological Pipettes for your experiments can make them precise and a

it’s a lot easier. To get the best Serological pipettes and pipette tips like Tecan Filter tips and numerous other products, visit MBP.