Sterilab’s Guide to Ensuring High-Quality Laboratory Consumables
To achieve accurate testing with reproducible results, laboratories need precision in every aspect of the testing workflow. This starts with the staff, who need to be trained properly and to employ all of their knowledge whilst applying their skill to their work. For them to be effective though, they need to be provided with the appropriate equipment, fitted with high quality laboratory consumables.
Every different type of laboratory relies on consumables meeting a certain standard for the professionals who use them, whether they be one in a university, a private testing provider, within the NHS or at a research and development department at a biotechnology firm. Without dependable, high quality laboratory consumables results are inaccurate and not reproducible.
But in a world of supply shortages and disrupted procurement practices, how can you be sure that the consumables you are buying can be relied upon? Read this guide to learn how you can ensure you buy high-quality laboratory consumables you can depend on for accurate testing.
What are Laboratory Consumables?
Laboratory consumables are the essential pieces of disposable plasticware that are used in a laboratory, chiefly for liquid handling or sample storage. There are many different type of consumables, from pipette tips and pasteur pipettes used in liquid transfer, to different types of plates and tubes used for storing samples. Most of them are made from polypropylene.
Key Features of High Quality Laboratory Consumables
1. Consistency
The number one requirement for all consumables is that they are consistent, with absolutely no variation between them. They must be free from visible flaws or imperfections and meet exactly the precise dimensions, transparency, pigmentation, strength, weight, and volumes stipulated in the product specification.
Some problems caused by sizing inconsistencies between consumables include:
Multiwell plates may not fit within the loading bays
Automation equipment may not be able to function
An incorrect seal between tip and pipette leads to leakage and volumes will be inaccurate
Tips that don’t fit properly may fall off the pipette entirely – losing the sample and potentially spoiling other samples
If tips are too tight, it will be difficult for the operator to eject them from the pipette and may cause repetitive strain injuries
2. Production Facilities
Opt for consumables produced by world-class manufacturers that employ proven production technologies. Key things to look for include:
a. Laboratory Testing & Quality Control
Independent validation systems to ensure each batch of products meets the exact specification are crucial to ensuring consistency. Looks for suppliers who state that they have quality control procedures to regulate the dimensions, durability, purity and sterility.
b. Certification
Some manufacturers provide certifications of compliance, purity and sterilisation. Suppliers are not always in a position to provide these certificates but as part of their supplier validation and assessment of quality management systems, these certificates will have been recognised. The authenticity of all ISO, CE & FDA certificate/registration certificates with the issuing certification bodies and competent authorities in the country of registration will have been checked if you choose to use a reputable supplier.
c. Injection Moulding
A common problem with manufacturing polypropylene products is mould flashing, an excess of plastic that forms on the surface of the moulded products. Flash-free tooling is too expensive (1). Look for consumables produced with superfine moulding technology for high-quality products.
3. Durability
With consumables being single-use items, many people overlook the durability required of laboratory consumables by some processes. Remember that some processes will need consumables that can withstand centrifugal forces, chemicals and changes in temperatures.
Thermal resistance is important for any consumables which are going to be subjected to high temperatures during thermocycling, autoclaving or water baths.
Low-quality materials and poorly produced multiwell plates may result in plates which are not flat and may not offer stable handling so get distorted by robot grippers or fit correctly in the loading bays of robots. These poor-quality plates may not be able to tolerate the fluctuating heating and temperatures during thermocycling causing warping or them to stick to thermocyclers.
High resistance to centrifugation forces is important for centrifuge tubes and multiwell plates. Tubes with microcracks, chips or poor designs will break when put under a centrifugal force . This results in the release of samples, droplets, and an aerosol into the centrifuge bowl.
4. Purity
Contamination prevention is a major challenge faced by many laboratories, especially those involved in PCR, molecular biology, forensic analysis and infectious materials. Make sure that the consumables you purchase are certified free of contaminants that could interfere with your testing, as test results and research become inaccurate and unreliable with the presence of contaminants.
a. Additive and Chemical Free Consumables
Chemicals such as cadmium and chromium are used in cheap non-organic dyes used to make blue or yellow tips, and can interfere with results. Look instead to use consumables which are coloured with organic dyes, as these do not contain heavy metals. This is particularly important in trace analysis.
b. DNA / RNase / RNAse Free
Higher degrees of purity are required when working in the field of PCR and cell biology. Due to the extreme sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction, it is that consumables are certified DNase and RNase free.
Those working in sterile environments in some fields may require consumables which are also free of ATP, Bacterial DNA and PCR inhibitors.
c. Sterility
To ensure your laboratory consumables are completely free of contaminants such as microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and spores, opt for consumables sterilised with a validated process that complies with ISO 11137.
A commonly used technique for sterility is electron beam sterilization. This produces less oxidative damage to plastic products.
Those working with research, medical and diagnostic testing should choose consumables which are certified to a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of 10-6.
d. Clean Room Technology
Small particles in the air are a possible source of contamination during the manufacturing of laboratory consumables. Look to purchase laboratory consumables manufactured under clean-room conditions, where manufacturing and packaging take place in separated areas which have HEPA filters and personnel wearing protective clothing.
5. Raw Materials
Opt for laboratory consumables made from premium quality materials. For example, pipette tips and plates should be made from Grade A virgin polypropylene for a high-quality end product. One way to evaluate the quality of the raw material is to look for any sign of ageing on the surface of the consumable, as this can occur with lower quality raw materials.
Other Factors to Consider
1. Brand Reputation
Established brands with a proven track record are always the best place to start when looking to buy laboratory consumables.Reputation is extremely important in this industry, and by looking at which brands are relied upon by prestigious institutions over long periods of time you can quickly ascertain who you can expect to rely on for the highest quality. Longevity in the industry also means the brand will likely have solid and established quality control procedures, and are able to invest into making sure their manufacturing facilities are at the cutting edge of what is possible.
Suppliers such as Sterilab have over 20 years of experience in supplying high-quality leading brand laboratory consumables. They have supplied precision plastic laboratory consumables to clients such as the Department of Health (DHSC), NHS Supply Chain, NHS Trusts, CSS Scotland, NHS Blood and Transplant, Universities, and Pharmaceutical and diagnostic manufacturers.
2. Customer Service and Product Availability
Look to partner with a company who will understand your needs and work closely with you to provide you with the laboratory consumables that you need. Choose a company that offers robust and extensive customer support with an emphasis on customer satisfaction – that way you know they are invested in you as a customer and you achieving your testing targets. Consider also their stock availability. For a reliable supply line you will want a company who hold domestic stock with fast delivery time. Some suppliers also offer call-off and standing orders with stock reservations for your security.
3. Samples
The best way to evaluate a potential supplier’s laboratory consumables is to look at some real life samples. If you’d like any samples of Sterilab’s range of high quality laboratory consumables, then you can get in touch with us, email us on mailto:sales@sterilab.co.uk or ring us on 01423 523300.
References
1. https://www.fictiv.com/articles/injection-molding-flash