Top 10 Tips to Avoid Contamination in Pipetting
When it comes to quality control, pipetting is an imperative step in your beverage, cell culture and Chemical & Consumer Care processes. The risk of contamination can be kept to a minimum by always employing the best maintenance practices.
Commonly Asked Questions:
- How can pipette contamination be prevented? - Contamination of the pipette itself can be avoided by using manufacturer recommended pipette tips of proper length and employing slow dispensing methods to avoid splashes. When not in use, contamination can be avoided with regular cleaning and proper storage stands.
- Which pipette handling errors are common?
- Uneven operation of the piston
- Failure to pre-wet pipette tip
- Unnecessary wiping of pipette tips
- Not factoring sample temperature
- Improper pipette cleaning and maintenance
- Not accounting for liquid viscosity
- What is the best way to decontaminate a pipette? - Proper pipette decontamination depends on a variety of factors. When choosing cleaning and decontamination solutions for your equipment, consider the liquid or reagent that has been pipetted. You should also ensure the solutions will be compatible with the pipette materials. An in-depth tutorial for proper pipette cleaning and decontamination can be accessed here.
- Which types of contamination can occur with improper pipetting?
- Pipette-to-sample: Pipettes or pipette tips transfer contaminants to a sample
- Sample-to-pipette: Contaminated samples enter the pipette body
- Sample-to-sample: Residual materials from a pipetted sample are carried over to a different sample
Download this poster and get to know the top 10 short and easy tips to avoid contamination in pipetting, including:
- Avoiding splashes
- Using stands for storage
- Regular cleaning of equipment
