Brands

Innoculating Needles/Loops

<h2 data-section-id="y6ykl1" data-start="0" data-end="42">What Are Inoculating Loops and Needles?</h2>
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Inoculating loops and needles are essential microbiology tools used to transfer microorganisms between culture media, agar plates, broth tubes, and other laboratory growth systems. An inoculating loop features a small circular end designed to hold a defined volume of liquid culture, while an inoculating needle has a straight tip used for picking colonies and inoculating semi-solid media. Modern disposable versions are manufactured from sterile polypropylene or polystyrene and have largely replaced reusable metal loops in many laboratories, helping reduce cross-contamination risks and eliminating the need for flame sterilization between samples. These tools are widely used in clinical microbiology, research laboratories, pharmaceutical testing, food microbiology, and environmental monitoring applications.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:<a href="https://mbpinc.net/consumables/microbiology/innoculating-needles/loops" title="Inoculating Needles &amp; Loops"></a></h2>
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Smooth loops for streaking without agar damage
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Fine-point needles for precise colony picking
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Sterile disposable options for safe, aseptic use
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Heat-resistant wire loops for repeated sterilization
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Ergonomic grip for better control and reduced fatigue
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<h2 data-section-id="x4zq8w" data-start="861" data-end="907">How to Choose Inoculating Loops and Needles</h2>
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Volume: 1 &micro;L vs. 10 &micro;L
The choice of loop volume depends on the application. A 1 &micro;L calibrated loop is commonly used for quantitative urine cultures and other procedures where accurate sample volume directly affects colony counts and microbial enumeration. A 10 &micro;L loop is the standard option for routine streak plating, subculturing, and general microorganism transfer where larger sample volumes are beneficial.
Rigidity: Flexible PP vs. Rigid PS
Flexible polypropylene loops are designed to glide smoothly across agar surfaces, minimizing damage to the media during streaking procedures. Rigid polystyrene loops and needles provide greater control when inoculating broth cultures, retrieving colonies, or performing stab inoculations in semi-solid agar. Many laboratories keep both flexible and rigid options available to accommodate different microbiological techniques.
Calibration and Lot Certification
For quantitative microbiology applications, calibrated loops should be selected to ensure consistent volume delivery. Certified loops undergo validation testing to verify that they deliver the specified sample volume accurately. This level of quality assurance is particularly important in clinical laboratories performing urine cultures and other quantitative microbial analyses.
Packaging Format
Individually packaged sterile loops provide maximum sterility assurance and are ideal for low-volume testing environments. Bulk-packaged sterile loops offer a more economical solution for high-throughput laboratories where large quantities are used daily. The choice depends on workflow requirements, usage frequency, and laboratory contamination-control practices.
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<h2 data-section-id="1jl751w" data-start="3179" data-end="3204">Specifications Context</h2>
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Disposable inoculating loops and needles are typically manufactured from medical-grade polypropylene or polystyrene and supplied sterile for immediate use. Standard loop sizes are designed to deliver consistent volumes and feature smooth surfaces that support accurate sample transfer. Many calibrated loops are tested using recognized verification methods and supplied with lot-specific certification to support laboratory quality assurance requirements. Disposable plastic loops are now widely used across clinical, academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial microbiology laboratories due to their convenience, consistency, and reduced contamination risk compared with reusable metal alternatives.
For product selection or technical guidance, <a href="https://mbpinc.net/consumables/microbiology/innoculating-needles/loops" title="connect with the Molecular Biology Products Inc. (MBP) team.">connect with the Molecular Biology Products Inc. (MBP) team.</a>

T & L Shaped Spreaders

Globe Scientific T &amp; L Shaped Cell Spreaders (SKU 2910 L-shaped; SKU 2911 T-shaped) — pre-sterilized, individually wrapped polystyrene. 100/case. Non-breakable; no flame sterilization required. Smooth rounded surface minimizes agar gouging. For quantitative plating and microbiology culture work.

Manufacture

Spreader, L-Shaped, STERILE, PS, Individually Wrapped, 100/Box, CS/1000

Spreader, T-Shaped, STERILE, PS, Individually Wrapped, 100/Box, CS/1000

BioFactory Accessories

<h2 dir="ltr"> What are Accessories for NEST BioFactory&trade; Systems?</h2>
 NEST BioFactory&trade; accessories are the replacement caps, silicone tubing, vent filters, overcaps, and pre-assembled closed-system cap assemblies used to configure BioFactory units for closed aseptic liquid transfer, gas exchange management, and multi-unit serial connections in cGMP and research-scale bioprocess workflows. The accessory set enables the BioFactory narrow-mouth cap to function as a closed-system liquid transfer port &mdash; media, wash buffer, trypsin, and cell harvest supernatant are transferred in and out through the silicone tubing connection without opening the vessel. Accessories for the BioFactory are required when operating the BioFactory as a closed system; for simple open-pour workflows using wide-mouth caps, standard vent and plug seal caps are the only accessories needed.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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BioFactory media transfer caps
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Sterile tubing and connector sets
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Fluid transfer adapters for cell culture vessels
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BioFactory bottle caps and closures
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Sterile quick-connect systems
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Liquid handling accessories
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Vessel handling and support tools
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Closed-system connectors for aseptic processing
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<h2 dir="ltr"> Key BioFactory Accessory Categories</h2>
 BioFactory Cap with Silicone Tube (CPC or Luer Connector) The BioFactory cap with silicone tube is the primary closed-transfer accessory: an adaptor cap that fits the narrow-mouth port of the BioFactory unit, pre-assembled with 80 cm of silicone tubing and a terminal connector &mdash; either a male CPC (clamped pressure connector / quick-connect) or a standard Luer lock &mdash; for coupling to peristaltic pumps, other BioFactory units, centrifuge tubes, or PETG media bottle assemblies. Two tubing I.D. &times; O.D. configurations are available: 1/4" I.D. &times; 3/8" O.D. and 3/8" I.D. &times; 5/8" O.D., covering standard peristaltic pump head bore sizes. The female sealing cap included with each assembly caps the connector between uses, maintaining sterility. Overcaps: Vented and Solid Overcaps are secondary dust and contamination barriers placed directly on top of the BioFactory adaptor caps during culture incubation. The vented overcap contains a 0.22 &micro;m hydrophobic breathable membrane, allowing gas exchange through the cap stack while blocking particles and microbial contamination &mdash; used during active shaker or orbital incubation when the unit's primary cap is an adaptor cap rather than a vented cap. The solid overcap provides an additional dust and contamination seal with no gas exchange &mdash; used for short-term storage or transport outside the incubator. SPT-50 Silicone Hose SPT-50 silicone hose (3/8" I.D. &times; 5/8" O.D., 50 inches / 15 meters) is the bulk tubing used to connect multiple BioFactory units in series, connect BioFactory ports to peristaltic pump heads, or extend the reach of the transfer cap assembly. SPT-50 tubing is manufactured from silicone, is individually wrapped and sterile, and passes dissolution testing per BPOG (BioPhorum Operations Group) criteria per NEST product documentation, supporting its use in biopharmaceutical production environments. Premium Accessory Package NEST offers a BioFactory Accessory Premium Package that includes 2 different adaptor caps, 1 hose clamp, 1 adaptor connector, 1 vent filter (50 mm), 1 additional hose clamp, and 15 m of SPT-50 silicone hose &mdash; all individually wrapped and sterile in a single kit. This package provides all components needed to set up a closed-system BioFactory media management workflow from a single kit, reducing the number of individual part orders required. Vent Filters for Gas Exchange Management For BioFactory units using adaptor caps rather than standard vented caps, 50 mm inline vent filters (0.22 &micro;m hydrophobic PTFE membrane) are installed on the air inlet/outlet tubing line to maintain sterile gas exchange during media addition, harvest, and incubation. The vent filter is rated for high flow rates without creating excessive back-pressure that would resist liquid movement through the system. Compatibility: Narrow-Mouth BioFactory Units Only All BioFactory accessory caps and tubing assemblies are designed exclusively for the narrow-mouth BioFactory configuration. Wide-mouth BioFactory units use standard wide-mouth vent and plug seal caps only; they are not compatible with accessory cap assemblies. Confirm that your BioFactory units have narrow-mouth ports before ordering the accessory cap set. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 NEST BioFactory&trade; accessory silicone tubing and cap assemblies are manufactured from USP Class VI silicone (TPE/silicone) and polycarbonate or PP cap bodies, individually wrapped and sterile. All components have passed dissolution testing per BPOG dissolution test criteria conducted by a certified third-party laboratory per NEST Scientific documentation. The standard Luer head connections conform to ISO 594 / GB/T 1962 for reliable compatibility with standard laboratory fittings. Vent filters use a 0.22 &micro;m hydrophobic PTFE membrane; overcaps use a 0.22 &micro;m hydrophobic membrane. NEST BioFactory accessories are carried by MBP alongside BioFactory units. 
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Need the right BioFactory setup? <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us" style="color: #236fa1;">Contact MBP today</a> for technical assistance.

Biofactory System Accessories

Product Literature

T Shape CPC Connector for Inner Dia #3/8 Hose, Individually Wrapped, Sterile, 1/pk, 5/cs

NEST Scientific 749001: sterile T-shape CPC connector for 3/8" ID hose in single-use bioprocess systems. Lateral 90° port for sampling, bypass, or branching while main flow continues. Individually wrapped, 1/pk, 5/cs. Order at <a href="https://www.mbpinc.net/quickorder">mbpinc.net/quickorder</a>.

Manufacturer

Primary Cells

T0020 Human Primary Chondrocytes

T0020 Human Primary Chondrocytes are isolated from normal human cartilage; they dedifferentiate during monolayer expansion and can re-differentiate in 3D culture for osteoarthritis, cartilage ECM, cytokine response, and tissue engineering research. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0051 Human Primary Hepatocytes

T0051 Human Primary Hepatocytes are isolated from normal human liver tissue with retained metabolic function for drug metabolism (CYP450), DILI/hepatotoxicity screening, DDI studies, and liver disease research. Requires three-component media system (TM0051-T/P/M); terminal culture — cannot be passaged. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0080 Bovine Primary Kidney Cells, Fetal

T0080 Bovine Primary Kidney Cells, Fetal are isolated from bovine fetal kidney tissue for bovine virus propagation/isolation (BoHV, BVDV, bovine adenovirus), veterinary virology, vaccine development, and antiviral drug screening. PriGrow III + 20% FBS. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO.

T0090 Bovine Primary Lung Cells, Fetal

T0090 Bovine Primary Lung Cells, Fetal are isolated from bovine fetal lung tissue for bovine respiratory virus research (bPI-3, BVDV, BoHV-1), veterinary virology, and cattle vaccine/antiviral drug screening. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0103 Primary Rat (Sprague Dawley) Hepatocytes, Suspension

T0103 Primary Rat (Sprague Dawley) Hepatocytes, Suspension are from the most widely used rat strain in pharmaceutical research for intrinsic clearance (CLint), metabolic stability, reactive metabolite, and cross-species metabolism studies. Max 1&times;106/ml. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0104 Primary Rat (Sprague Dawley) Hepatocytes, Plateable

T0104 Primary Rat (Sprague Dawley) Hepatocytes, Plateable are from the most widely used outbred rat for extended-format hepatic metabolism, CYP450 assays, DILI dose-response, repeat-dose toxicity, and cross-species metabolism comparison. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0105 Primary Rat (Wistar Han) Hepatocytes, Suspension

T0105 Primary Rat (Wistar Han) Hepatocytes, Suspension are Wistar Han rat suspension hepatocytes for intrinsic clearance (CLint), metabolic stability, reactive metabolite trapping, and cross-species metabolism comparison. Max 1&times;106/ml. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0106 Primary Rat (Wistar Han) Hepatocytes, Plateable

T0106 Primary Rat (Wistar Han) Hepatocytes, Plateable — NTP-preferred Wistar Han strain; two-supplement medium system (TM0106-A plating + TM0106-B maintenance); G999/G422; for regulatory DILI, CYP450 metabolism, repeat-dose hepatotoxicity, and Wistar Han vs Sprague Dawley vs Fischer strain comparison. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0107 Primary Rat (Fischer) Hepatocytes, Suspension

T0107 Primary Rat (Fischer 344) Hepatocytes, Suspension are supplied at a high density of 5&times;106 cells/1.0 ml for CLint, metabolic stability, reactive metabolite, carcinogen metabolism, and rat strain cross-species comparison (Fischer vs Sprague Dawley vs Wistar Han). Max 1&times;106/ml working density. Supplied by ABM; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.

T0108 Primary Rat (Fischer) Hepatocytes, Plateable

T0108 Primary Rat (Fischer) Hepatocytes, Plateable are inbred Fischer 344 rat liver cells in a plateable format for multi-well hepatic drug metabolism, CYP450 assays, DILI/hepatotoxicity screening, and Phase I/II metabolism using a well-characterized preclinical rat strain. Supplied by ABM as 5&times;105 cells/1.0 ml, frozen; BSL-2; RUO. MTA required.