The concepts of sterility and purity in micro centrifuge tubes

Sterility and purity are essential characteristics of micro centrifuge tubes, particularly in applications involving sensitive biological samples, cell culture, molecular biology, and clinical diagnostics. Ensuring that the tubes are sterile and free from contaminants is crucial to maintain the integrity of the samples and to prevent interference with experimental results. 

Sterility:

Sterility refers to the absence of viable microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, in a product or environment. Sterile micro centrifuge tubes are essential when working with cell cultures, preparing media, handling biological samples, and conducting molecular biology experiments. Contaminated tubes could introduce unwanted microorganisms into the samples, leading to inaccurate results or compromised cell cultures.

Methods of Achieving Sterility:

Gamma Irradiation: Many micro centrifuge tubes are sterilized using gamma irradiation, a common method that kills microorganisms by damaging their DNA. Gamma irradiation is an effective and widely used method for sterilizing plastic consumables in laboratories.

Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Sterilization: Ethylene oxide gas is another method used for sterilizing micro centrifuge tubes. It is particularly useful for tubes containing components that cannot withstand high temperatures, such as O-rings and sealing materials.

Aseptic Manufacturing: Some micro centrifuge tubes are manufactured in aseptic conditions, ensuring that they are sterile from the outset. Aseptic manufacturing processes involve maintaining a clean and controlled environment during production to prevent contamination.

RNase/DNase-Free:

In molecular biology research involving RNA and DNA samples, it is crucial to use micro centrifuge tubes that are certified to be free from ribonucleases (RNases) and deoxyribonucleases (DNases). RNases and DNases are enzymes that can degrade RNA and DNA, respectively, compromising the integrity of these nucleic acids and leading to unreliable results in experiments like PCR and RNA sequencing.

Methods of Ensuring RNase/DNase-Free Quality:

Stringent Quality Control: Manufacturers subject the tubes to rigorous quality control measures to certify their RNase/DNase-free status. This includes testing for the presence of these enzymes and implementing strict protocols to prevent contamination during production.

Special Surface Treatments: Some micro centrifuge tubes undergo special surface treatments to prevent the binding of enzymes, reducing the risk of RNase and DNase contamination.