Unisart® Nitrocellulose Membranes for Lateral Flow Assays
Our Unisart® nitrocellulose membranes are specifically designed to be the ideal solid phase for all diagnostic lateral flow immunoassays. Every step in the Unisart® membrane manufacturing process has been optimized in order to obtain a reproducible 3D membrane structure with a clean and defect-free membrane surface. The homogenous structure of our membranes ensures a controlled and uniform lateral wicking of samples and reagents across the membrane which leads to improved accuracy and reproducibility of lateral flow test results.
What makes our Unisart® nitrocellulose membranes the best choice for y...
Consistency matters
Reliable capillary speed, high protein binding, homogenous thickness and a smooth and defect-free membrane surface are essential to obtain high quality lateral flow test strips. The exceptionally high inter- and intra-lot consistency of our Unisart® membranes will help you to minimize the variability within lateral flow immunoassays and ensures accurate and precise results. Producing more consistent readouts improves test strip performance and reduces manufacturing costs.
Reliable membrane supply
In-depth know-how in nitrocellulose membrane manufacturing as well as relevant application expertise are driving us to continuously improve our state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. As a technology leader, we guarantee reliable supply of high quality nitrocellulose membranes and also ensure availability of our Unisart® membranes on large scale.
Quality made in Germany
We focus on quality in every step of our membrane manufacturing which is located in Göttingen, Germany. Our Unisart® membranes are developed, produced and distributed according to a Quality Management System that is certified in compliance with DIN/ISO 9001. All products must pass our precisely defined in-house tests and meet our stringent quality control standards throughout all manufacturing steps.
Complete tracebility
All Unisart® membrane products have a comprehensive and easy to read out labeling which allows convenient retrieval of all data compiled on materials used, production steps and QC tests. Quality assurance certificates guarantee full visual inspection and conformity to specifications for all Unisart® lateral flow membranes.
Unisart® Nitrocellulose Membrane Product Family
Membranes that make a difference
The nitrocellulose membrane is one of the most important components of a lateral flow rapid test and should be selected carefully. Especially the capillary speed of the membrane is very critical for lateral flow strip functionality as it affects sensitivity, specificity, response time and eventually costs of the assay. Each membrane type of our Unisart® nitrocellulose membrane family has a specific range of capillary speed. Our Unisart® CN 95 membrane is perfectly suited for high viscous samples and produces test strips with very short response times. Consequently Unisart® CN 95 is the membrane of choice when a quick response is desirable. In contrast, test strips with our Unisart® CN 180 DX membrane have the longest response time, but the assays will show the highest sensitivity. According to the application, reagents and manufacturing conditions our Unisart® CN 110, CN 140 and CN 150 membranes provide a different optimum for speed, specificity and sensitivity. Our wide selection of Unisart® membranes allows you to find the one that best meets the requirements of your diagnostic assay.
Solutions for Lateral Flow Assays & In Vitro Diagnostics Kit (IVD) Manufacturers
Sartorius is globally recognized for an expertise in biotherapeutics, including solutions for in vitro diagnostics kit (IVD) manufacturers. We can help you:
Design a standardized sample preparation protocol before diagnosis with tailored lab instruments and consumables
- Get optimal performance characteristics on your lateral flow rapid tests with consistent and homogeneous UniSart® membranes
- Monitor and trace your critical Quality Control parameters
- Accelerate your analyte discovery steps, development and production
| Unisart® | CN 95 backed | CN 110 backed | CN 140 unbacked | CN 140 backed | CN 150 backed | CN 180 DX backed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Membrane Material | cellulose nitrate | cellulose nitrate | cellulose nitrate | cellulose nitrate | cellulose nitrate | cellulose nitrate |
Backing | 100 µm polyester, clear | 100 µm polyester, clear | none | 100 µm polyester, clear | 100 µm polyester, clear; 100 µm polyester, white | 100 µm polyester, clear |
Thickness (µm) | 240 - 270 | 185 - 215 | 120 - 160 | 225 - 255 | 240 - 280 | 225 - 255 |
Capillary speed down web, purified water (s/40mm) | 65 - 115 | 90 - 130 | 90 - 150 | 95 - 155 | 90 - 180 | 135 - 175 |
Visual appearance | All Unisart® membranes offer a white, flat and smooth surface, free of macroscopic defects and foreign matter. They are all 100% inspected by backlight inspection. | |||||
Wettability | Precise amount of anionic surfactant allows for fast wetting | |||||
| Plastic roll core | 76.8 mm, 3“ | ||
| Certificate of analysis | provided with each delivery | ||
| Membrane width | 17—300 mm (+/- 0.5mm) | ||
Membrane wound with yellow interleaving protection paper between the membrane layers.
| Unisart® | CN 95 backed | CN 110 backed | CN 140 unbacked | CN 140 backed | CN 150 backed | CN 180 DX backed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Backing | 100 µm clear | 100 µm clear | none | 100 µm clear | 100 µm clear, 100 µm white | 100 µm clear |
| Belt side as application side | no | no | yes | no | yes | no |
Background clearing | very fast | very fast | fast | fast | fast | fast |
Time–to-signal | fast | fast | medium | medium | medium | medium |
Quick response tests | best suitable | suitable, depending on migration distance | suitable, depending on migration distance | suitable, depending on migration distance | suitable, depending on migration distance | suitable, depending on migration distance |
Sensitivity | good | good | very good | very good | very good, can be enhanced by using white backing | excellent |
Viscous samples | very good | good | good | good | good | good |
Particle loaded samples | very good | very good | good | good | good | good |
| Backing as barrier against card glue | yes | yes | no, cards need to be selected carefully | yes | yes | yes |
| Contact dispensing equipment | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable |
| Non- contact dispensing equipment | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable | suitable |
Suitable for reel-to-reel manufacturing | suitable | suitable | needs careful handling | suitable | suitable | suitable |
| Unisart® Membrane | Backing Polyester | Width (mm) | Length (m) | Max. Splices | Units/ Box | Catalog Number |
| CN 95 backed | ||||||
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 50 | 0 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER050020WSB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 50 | 0 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER050025WSB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 30 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER050030—B |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN95ER100020NT |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 1 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER100025KSB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER100025NTB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 28 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER100028NTB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 30 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER100030—B |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 35 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN95ER100035NTB |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 40 | 100 | 0 | 1 roll | 1UN95ER100040WS |
CN 95 | 100 µm clear | 70 | 100 | 0 | 1 roll | 1UN95ER100070WS |
| CN 110 backed | ||||||
CN 110 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN11ER100020NTB |
CN 110 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN11ER100025NTB |
CN 110 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN11ER100025NT |
| CN 140 unbacked | ||||||
CN 140 | none | 200 | 0.25 | 0 | 2 sheets | 1UN14AS25020001 |
CN 140 | none | 20 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR050020—B |
CN 140 | none | 25 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR050025—B |
CN 140 | none | 20 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR100020NTB |
CN 140 | none | 20 | 100 | 0 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR100020WSB |
CN 140 | none | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR100025NTB |
CN 140 | none | 25 | 100 | 0 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR100025WSB |
CN 140 | none | 35 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14AR100035NTB |
CN 140 | none | 40 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN14AR100040NT |
CN 140 | none | 270 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN14AR100270NT |
| CN 140 backed | ||||||
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER050020—B |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER050025—B |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 50 | 0 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER050025WSB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 17 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN14ER100017NT |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 18 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100018NTB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN14ER100020NT |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100020NTB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN14ER100025NT |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100025NTB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 28 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100028NTB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 30 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100030—B |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 35 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN14ER100035NTB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 40 | 100 | 0 | 1 roll | 1UN14ER100040WSB |
CN 140 | 100 µm clear | 70 | 100 | 0 | 1 roll | 1UN14ER100070 |
| CN 150 backed | ||||||
CN 150 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN15LR050020NTB |
CN 150 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 50 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN15LR050025NTB |
CN 150 | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN15LR100020NTB |
CN 150 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 1 roll | 1UN15LR100025NT |
CN 150 | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN15LR100025NTB |
CN 150 | 100 µm white | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1UN15WR100025NTB |
| CN 180 DX backed | ||||||
CN 180 DX | 100 µm clear | 20 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1DX18ER100020NTB |
CN 180 DX | 100 µm clear | 25 | 100 | 3 | 5 rolls | 1DX18ER100025NTB |
Customized dimensions of Unisart® nitrocellulose membranes are also available upon request.
UniSart® Nitrocellulose Membrane FAQs
If stored according to our storage recommendations, UniSart® Membranes have a shelf-life of 3 years after their manufacturing date. UniSart® Microarray Slides have a shelf-life of 1 year after their manufacturing date. The shelf-life is indicated on each Certificate of Analysis.
It is recommended to store UniSart® membranes at a constant temperature between 15 – 25°C and a relative humidity between 40 – 60 %. In any case, the membrane should be kept away from open fire, heat sources, light and chemical vapors of any kind.
It is recommended to keep the membrane rolls in their original packaging and keep it closed in a dedicated storage area. The membrane roll with paper separator is packed in a primary packaging (plastic pouch). The article in primary packaging is packed in a secondary packaging (cardboard box).
The paper separator has an important safety function. Therefore, it must be ensured that the paper separator is not removed from the membrane rolls before processing. The paper separator significantly reduces the decomposition rate of our UniSart® membranes. All UniSart® membranes are exclusively sold containing this paper separator.
When handling UniSart® membranes ensure sufficient ventilation and avoid direct skin contact to prevent contamination of the membrane. Furthermore, prolonged direct contact to any material that can release chemicals should be avoided. These substances might alter important membrane properties such as wettability.
Do not store more membrane than needed for your daily production in your working area.
Sartorius offers five different membrane types within the UniSart® CN Membranes portfolio with a broad range of different formats. Download the brochure.
Some of the products are available on the Sartorius eShop and can be ordered online. If your desired item is not included, please contact our team via unisart@sartorius.com.
