The Amies Charcoal Gel transport swab is a complete microbiology collection-and-transport system consisting of a fitted specimen swab, a long narrow protective tube and a short column of opaque charcoal-containing medium at the rounded tube base. Charcoal-containing Amies gel is selected when the validated method calls for adsorption of inhibitory or toxic compounds during bacterial specimen transport. It is not a vacuum blood collection tube and must be matched to the specimen type, organism target and receiving-laboratory protocol.

Product Highlights

• Amies semisolid transport medium containing activated charcoal.
• Complete swab-and-tube system for closed post-collection transfer.
• Short gel column at the tube base helps keep the inserted swab tip in contact with the specified medium.
• Tube, swab, sterility, expiration dating and packaging are controlled by the selected SKU.

Structure and Materials

Typical Applications

• Bacterial swab transport when charcoal-containing Amies medium is specified
• Fastidious-organism workflows accepted by the receiving laboratory
• Transfer to culture or another validated microbiology method

Use and Handling Overview

• Open the sterile pack without touching the collection tip.
• Collect only from the specimen site and by the technique defined in the validated protocol.
• Insert the swab into the tube so the collection tip reaches the gel column, then secure the closure.
• Label, store and transport the system within the time and temperature limits specified for the selected SKU and receiving method.

Important: The customer is responsible for validating the complete collection, transport and downstream test workflow.

Technical Specifications

Selection Guide

The black medium is intentional and results from activated charcoal; it is not contamination or blood. Do not substitute it for clear Amies unless the protocol allows the change. Medium, swab material, specimen source and downstream method are not automatically interchangeable. Confirm the exact validated configuration before ordering.

Ordering Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a blood collection tube?

No. It is a long narrow microbiology transport tube supplied around a specimen swab and a short gel column.

Is the transport medium interchangeable with other media?

No. Use Amies only when it is accepted by the validated collection and receiving-laboratory protocol.

What does the charcoal version change?

Activated charcoal makes the medium opaque black and is used in formulations intended to adsorb inhibitory compounds. Select it only when the receiving method specifies charcoal.

Is the tube filled with liquid?

No. The illustration shows a short column of semisolid transport medium at the tube base.

Where should the swab tip sit after collection?

When the validated instructions require it, the inserted collection tip should reach the semisolid medium column before the closure is secured.

Which swab tip is included?

Tip and shaft material depend on the selected configuration and are confirmed before quotation.

Is the system sterile?

Sterile configurations may be available; the method, shelf life and documentation are SKU specific.

Can cap color be used as the only identifier?

No. Cap color may vary by configuration. Always verify the printed SKU and medium specification.

What should I send for a quotation?

Provide required medium, charcoal or clear version, specimen type, swab preference, sterility, pack quantity and order volume.

Request a Matched Configuration

Send Puretest your application, required configuration and order volume. Our team will confirm the matching SKU, documentation and packaging before quotation.