Yingtai Centrifuge Sample Compatibility Guide
Sample compatibility for centrifuges requires precise matching based on sample characteristics, experimental requirements, and equipment functionality to ensure separation efficiency and sample integrity.
I. Sample Types and Key Compatibility Parameters
(1) Biological Samples: Activity Preservation and Fine Separation
Biological samples (e.g., cells, proteins, nucleic acids) are environmentally sensitive and require attention to speed, temperature control, and rotor type:
- Cells and Microorganisms: Require gentle centrifugation conditions. A swing-out rotor is recommended (to preserve cell integrity), with speeds typically ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 RPM, at room temperature or 4°C. For example, cell harvesting often uses 3,000 RPM for 10 minutes.
- Proteins and Nucleic Acids: Require high-speed centrifugation (5,000–20,000 RPM) with a fixed-angle rotor (for rapid separation) and low temperature (4°C) to prevent denaturation. For instance, protein purification experiments may use 12,000 RPM to separate components of different molecular weights.
- Viruses and Subcellular Organelles: Require ultracentrifugation (>20,000 RPM) with a zonal rotor for density gradient separation. For example, virus concentration may require ultracentrifugation at over 40,000 RPM.
(2) Chemical and Industrial Samples: Corrosion Resistance and Processing Scale
- General Chemical Samples: Insensitive to temperature; room-temperature centrifuges can be used. Speed depends on solid-liquid density differences (typically 1,000–8,000 RPM).
- Corrosive Samples: Require a 316L stainless steel chamber and rotor, such as acid- and alkali-resistant designs.
- Large-Volume Industrial Samples: For example, fermentation broth harvesting requires continuous-flow rotors or large-capacity centrifuge bottles (ranging from hundreds of milliliters to several liters), at speeds of 3,000–10,000 RPM.
II. Key Parameter Compatibility Strategies
1. Parameter: Speed/Centrifugal Force
- Compatibility Principle: Biological macromolecules require high speeds (>5,000 RPM), while simple solid-liquid separation uses low speeds (<5,000 RPM).
- Example Scenario: Serum separation (3,000 RPM) vs. virus purification (50,000 RPM).
2. Parameter: Capacity
- Compatibility Principle: Micro-volume samples (<2 mL) require microcentrifuges, while large-scale processing requires liter-scale capacity.
- Example Scenario: PCR product centrifugation (0.2 mL tube) vs. industrial fermentation broth processing (1 L bottle).
3. Parameter: Temperature Control
- Compatibility Principle: Biologically active samples (e.g., enzymes, cells) require low temperatures (4°C), while chemical samples can be processed at room temperature.
- Example Scenario: Enzyme separation (4°C refrigerated centrifugation) vs. dye precipitation separation (room temperature).
4. Parameter: Rotor Type
- Compatibility Principle: Use swing-out rotors for cell harvesting, fixed-angle rotors for rapid separation, and zonal rotors for density gradient centrifugation.
- Example Scenario: Cell culture supernatant collection vs. rapid nucleic acid purification.
III. Typical Application Scenarios and Compatibility Cases
- Molecular Biology Experiment
Requirement: Process 200 μL PCR products with rapid centrifugation for precipitation.
Selection: Microcentrifuge (10,000 RPM, 0.2 mL fixed-angle rotor).
- Clinical Blood Separation
Requirement: Separate serum (20 mL whole blood per tube, batch processing).
Selection: High-capacity benchtop centrifuge (4 × 50 mL swing-out rotor, 3,500 RPM, room temperature).
- Industrial Enzyme Production
Requirement: Harvest 10 L fermentation broth while preserving enzyme activity.
Selection: Floor-standing refrigerated centrifuge (4 × 1,000 mL rotor, 8,000 RPM, 4°C temperature control).
IV. Compatibility Validation and Precautions
- Pre-experiment Testing: For unknown samples, small-volume centrifugation tests (e.g., gradient speed experiments) are recommended to verify separation efficiency.
- Safety and Compatibility: Confirm material corrosion resistance for corrosive samples and calibrate temperature control accuracy (error ≤ ±1°C) for temperature-sensitive samples.
- Parameter Matching: Rotor capacity and speed must match the host machine’s rated parameters to avoid overload (e.g., high-speed rotors cannot be used in low-speed models).
