Filter tip’s low retention refers to pipette tips that are designed to minimize sample loss and contamination during pipetting.
Here are some key things about low retention filter tips:
– They contain an extra filter in the tip that captures liquid, preventing it from sticking to the inside walls of the tip. This reduces sample loss.
– The filters are made of hydrophobic materials that prevent aqueous solutions from sticking. This reduces carryover contamination between pipetting steps.
– The tip material and filters create a smooth inner surface that liquids cannot adhere to easily.
– They are best for pipetting sticky, viscous, or protein-containing samples, as regular tips tend to retain more of these liquids.
– They allow more accurate and precise pipetting of small volumes, as sample loss is minimized.
– Low retention tips cost more than regular tips but can improve pipetting accuracy and prevent contamination, saving costs elsewhere.
– They should be used with care to avoid clogging the filters with thick liquids or particulates. Filter clogging increases sample retention.
So in summary, low-retention filter tips have specialized filters and materials to reduce sample loss and carryover, improving pipetting accuracy for hard-to-handle liquids. Their extra cost is justified by better performance for many applications.
