Misoperations and Treatment Methods about Pipettes
Most people think that using pipettes for the first time that operation is very simple, but actually it is not. In a scientific experiment, pipettes are the first step, which is a very basic experimental operation.
Ask yourself these few questions about pipettes to see if your operations are right:
- Has the liquid sucked back into the piston during your operation?
- After using the pipette, did you adjust the volume of the plastic pipette to the maximum value?
- After using the pipette, did you place the pipette flat on the desk?
In liquid operations, the adjustable precision pipette is the most commonly used. And when using the pipette, there are still some wrong operations, which will cause damage to the machine and experiment.
Misoperations and treatment methods for pipettes：
Show some brief wrong operations about pipettes as follows:
Error: When assembling the tip, repeatedly hit the tip with an adjustable volume pipette to tighten it;
Correct methods: put the suction head in, then turn it left and right slightly to tighten ;
Show some analysis: the internal gear combination of the pipette will get loosened when impacted. And keep this operation in the long-term will affect the accuracy of the pipette;
Error: The tip does not match the pipette, which affects the air tightness;
Correct methods: correctly select the tip that matches the pipette and has quality assurance;
Show some analysis: If the pipette tip is mismatched, which will mainly show some effects in air tightness. The direct effect is the accuracy of the pipette.
Error: when aspirating, the adjustable volume pipette tilts to aspirate;
Correct methods: aspirate liquid vertically;
Show some analysis: when aspirating, the pipette tilts to aspirate will cause some changes in the air pressure surface. And will cause the accuracy of pipetting;
Error: When the tip contains undisputed liquid, placed the pipette flat on the desktop;
Correct methods: Hang the pipette vertically on the pipette holder;
Show some analysis: If the tip contains undisputed liquid, and you choose to place the pipette flat.
Then caused the liquid will get into the body of the pipette, which will absolutely affect the internal components of the pipette and cause some damage, pollution, etc.
Error: Use a large-range pipette to pipette small volumes of liquid;
Correct methods: The volume of pipetting should be within the range, which is provided by the pipette to get the requirements of accuracy
Show some analysis: Because of the existence of the air cushion, is the main reason for the inaccuracy of the pipette.
The choice of the pipette should be the largest range and the selection principle that is closest to the target liquid transfer volume;
Error: transfer liquid with strong volatility;
Correct methods: Not advised to use ordinary pipettes to transfer strong volatile liquid;
Show some analysis: It is a good way to take apart the pipette immediately after pipetting to make steam evaporate. As in while, should advise using an external piston pipette;
Error: The liquid suction speed and the liquid discharge speed are too fast;
Correct methods: slow suction and slow release;
Show some analysis: Quick aspiration for pipettes with a volume of 1 mL and above, it is easy to cause the liquid to wash up, and too fast discharging will increase the residual amount of liquid.
There are more introduces about how to disinfect a pipette, the types of pipettes, etc.
