Multi channel micropipette is designed for precise pipetting, ensuring accurate and reproducible results with excellent efficiency. It is used to aspirate, measure, and dispense liquid, research samples in various laboratories. Using multiple channels, researchers have the advantage of measuring high-throughput liquid simultaneously. While there are many applications given the high versatility of this type of pipette, there are certain precautions and usage guidelines that one must adhere to while conducting pipetting operations. One of the precautions is how someone uses a multichannel pipette for viscous liquid.

Why Pipetting Viscous Liquid is Challenging

Pipetting the viscous liquids is challenging compared to standard liquids. Viscous liquids have low elasticity and stick to the tip or inside the plunger body. Moreover, the intake and transfer are slow. These factors lead to inaccuracy of results, and the experiment fails to achieve the right conclusion. Hence, pipetting of viscous liquid is challenging.

However, it is not impossible to use a multichannel micropipette for viscous liquids, as there are special methods that can be employed in this case.

Method of Pipetting Viscous Liquid

• Reverse Pipette: In the reverse pipette technique, the amount of liquid aspirated and transferred into the vessel is more than required. The excess liquid is wasted, and the desired volume is pipette into the vessel or vial.
• Special Pipette Tips: The specially designed tips help in pipetting viscous liquids. Wide-bore tips help in the flow of high-viscosity liquids. But more effective is using the tip with low retention, i.e, the one which does not adhere to the viscous liquid.
• Slow Transfer: Transferring the viscous liquid at a slow speed attunes with the speed of accurate pipetting and reduces the risk of sticking.
• Pausing: Before pushing the plunger completely, wait for a bit longer so that the intended volume of liquid comes off the tip to maintain the accuracy of the experiment.

Viscous Liquids Commonly Studied In Labs

1. Glycerol: A common solvent used in microbiology.
2. Edible Oils: Usually are viscous and tested to check food quality standards.
3. Tween 20: A surfactant used in cell lysis and protein purification.
4. DMSO: A versatile solvent in various biological studies.
5. Creams: Common in skincare and cosmetics, pipetting checks the potency and formulations.
6. Honey: A popular viscous liquid used in foods, skincare, and many applications.
7. Butter: The quality of butter can also be analyzed through multi channel micropipette.

Conclusion

Pipetting the viscous liquids through the standard micropipette is difficult, but if the above tips are followed properly, it can be carried out with as precise and accurate an experiment as any other pipetting operation. At RV Instruments, we have a large set of multi channel micropipette. These are available with multiple channels, high precision display and handling mechanisms. RV Instruments is the best choice for versatile lab experiments and is certified by the highest standards.