Serological Pipettes | 1 mL–50 mL Sterile Polystyrene | MBP Inc.

Serological Pipettes for Accurate Liquid Transfer and Aspiration

What Are Serological Pipettes?

Serological pipettes are calibrated, graduated, sterile polystyrene disposable pipettes used with a motorised pipette controller to transfer measured volumes of liquid in the 1–100 mL range. They are the primary tool for cell culture media transfer, buffer preparation, reagent dispensing in volumes above 1 mL, and serial dilutions requiring volumetric accuracy in the millilitre range. They differ from aspirating pipettes — which have no graduations and are used only for vacuum-assisted waste removal — and from microcentrifuge tubes, which are not dispensing instruments. Serological pipettes are the correct format for any measured liquid transfer ≥1 mL in cell culture or reagent preparation; pair them with a motorised pipette controller for safe, ergonomic operation.

What you will find:

1 mL to 50 mL Serological Pipettes – Standard range for routine and high-volume liquid transfer

Glass Serological Pipettes – Reusable options for solvent resistance and durability

Sterile Serological Pipettes – Gamma-sterilized for aseptic laboratory use

Non-Sterile Serological Pipettes – Cost-effective option for general applications

Graduated Serological Pipettes – For accurate volume measurement and dispensing

How to Choose Serological Pipettes

Volume: Standard Sizes and ISO 7550 Colour Coding
ISO 7550 assigns a specific colour code to each serological pipette volume: 1 mL = red; 2 mL = yellow; 5 mL = blue; 10 mL = orange; 25 mL = green; 50 mL = purple (pink/violet depending on supplier). Colour coding allows quick visual volume identification when multiple sizes are in use simultaneously in a BSC.

Packaging: Individual Wrap vs Bulk
Individually wrapped sterile pipettes are required for cell culture, molecular biology, and aseptic technique. Plastic/plastic peel-open packaging eliminates paper particulate from paper/plastic wrappers — important in sensitive cell culture applications and for RNA work. Bulk-packed (canister or bag) formats are cost-effective for non-sterile applications such as buffer preparation and reagent dispensing in fume hoods.

Construction: 1-Piece vs 3-Piece
1 mL, 2 mL, and 5 mL serological pipettes are typically one-piece moulded polystyrene constructions. 10 mL, 25 mL, and 50 mL pipettes use 3-piece ultrasonically welded construction (Globe Scientific) for the body-to-cone and body-to-cap joints — essential for the structural integrity of larger formats under aspiration vacuum.

Tip and Graduation Features
Negative graduations (markings above the nominal maximum) allow volumes slightly above nominal to be read. Fine-point tips with slow drip-off improve pipetting accuracy during cell culture media transfers. Some brands offer Wobble-not-style pipettes with reduced barrel flex for easier single-hand operation.

Filter Plug Material
Cotton filter plugs are standard; synthetic plugs (polyethylene or polypropylene) are preferred when processing organic solvents or any media that might wick through a cotton plug.

Compare Serological Pipette Volumes

1 mL – Red ISO 7550 colour, 1-piece construction, 0.01 mL graduations; used for small-volume media transfer.

2 mL – Yellow ISO 7550 colour, 1-piece construction, 0.1 mL graduations; used for buffer preparation.

5 mL – Blue ISO 7550 colour, 1-piece construction, 0.1 mL graduations; used for media preparation and dilutions.

10 mL – Orange ISO 7550 colour, 3-piece construction, 0.1 mL graduations; used for flask media changes.

25 mL – Green ISO 7550 colour, 3-piece construction, 0.5 mL graduations; used for bulk media dispensing.

50 mL – Purple ISO 7550 colour, 3-piece construction, 1.0 mL graduations; used for large flask media changes.

Specifications Context

Serological pipettes are manufactured from optically clear virgin polystyrene in Class 100,000 cleanroom conditions. Sterility: individually wrapped pipettes are EO-sterilised to SAL 10⁻⁶; non-pyrogenic, non-cytotoxic, DNase-free, and RNase-free per lot. ISO 7550 defines colour coding for serological pipettes; many US suppliers follow this standard, though it is not universally mandated. Calibrated to deliver (TD) with blow-out (marked with a double band or 'TD' marking) — all liquid must be expelled from the tip for accurate delivery. Globe Scientific, Nest Scientific, and Falcon remain the dominant serological pipette brands in North American cell culture labs.

Improve consistency and reduce handling variation with reliable serological pipette solutions. Request a quote from the expert team at Molecular Biology Products Inc. (MBP).

FAQ

Standard serological pipettes are available in 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mL. Per ISO 7550, the colour-coded top band identifies the volume: 1 mL = red, 2 mL = yellow, 5 mL = blue, 10 mL = orange, 25 mL = green, and 50 mL = purple/pink. Colour coding allows quick visual identification when multiple sizes are used simultaneously in a biosafety cabinet.

A filter plug in a serological pipette — cotton or synthetic — is positioned inside the pipette body to prevent liquid from being aspirated into the motorised pipette controller during normal use. Without a filter plug, liquid can reach the controller motor during over-aspiration or accidental inversion, causing damage and cross-contamination. Serological pipettes without filter plugs are aspirating pipettes, used only for vacuum waste removal.

Calibrated to deliver (TD) with blow-out means the pipette's graduation marks are calibrated for the volume delivered when all liquid is expelled from the tip using the controller's blow-out function — unlike Class A glass pipettes where residual liquid is left in the tip. The TD blow-out calibration is standard for disposable serological pipettes; expelling all liquid from the tip is required for accurate volume delivery.

Serological pipettes have precision graduation marks, a filter plug, and are used for measured liquid transfer with a pipette controller. Aspirating pipettes have no graduation marks and no filter plug, and are used exclusively for vacuum-assisted waste removal where volume measurement is not required. Serological pipettes cost more per unit than aspirating pipettes; use aspirating pipettes for media removal and serological pipettes for measured dispensing.

Individually wrapped serological pipettes for cell culture are EO-sterilised (ethylene oxide) to a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶, and are certified non-pyrogenic, non-cytotoxic, DNase-free, and RNase-free per lot. Bulk-packed serological pipettes may not be sterile; confirm sterilisation status before use in aseptic applications.

1 mL, 2 mL, and 5 mL serological pipettes are typically single-piece moulded polystyrene — simple and robust. 10 mL, 25 mL, and 50 mL pipettes use 3-piece ultrasonically welded construction joining the body, cone tip, and cotton-plug cap section, providing the structural integrity needed to withstand vacuum aspiration forces in larger formats.

Plastic/plastic peel-open serological pipettes eliminate particulate from paper wrappers during aseptic opening in a biosafety cabinet. Paper fibres generated when peeling paper/plastic wrappers can settle in the work area and onto open culture vessels. Plastic/plastic wrap is the preferred format for sensitive cell culture, primary cell isolation, and RNA work.

Serological pipettes require a pipette controller, Pi-pump, or mechanical aspirator for safe use. Manual mouth-pipetting with serological pipettes is a serious laboratory safety violation regardless of the liquid being transferred. The pipette controller provides motor-driven aspiration and dispense with full speed and direction control, replacing the manual bulb and eliminating mouth-pipetting risk.

Serological pipettes for RNA work should be independently certified DNase-free, RNase-free, non-pyrogenic, and non-cytotoxic per lot. EO sterilisation to SAL 10⁻⁶ is standard for individually wrapped formats.

MBP Inc. accepts purchase orders for serological pipettes from Globe Scientific and Nest Scientific, and offers a Quick Order tool for recurring lab consumables. MBP is a registered vendor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Vanderbilt University, supporting institutional PO processing for procurement teams across the USA and Canada.