Are Eppendorf products free of RNA?

All products certified with "PCR clean" are tested free of human DNA, DNase, RNase and PCR inhibitors. The following applies from our point of view: Where no human DNA is detected, there can also be no RNA, which is considerably more unstable.

What is the meaning of the PCR Clean seal?

For molecular-biological requirements Eppendorf offers a new standard for uniform purity specifications. All consumables marked with the "Certified PCR Clean” label are guaranteed free of human DNA, DNase, RNase and PCR inhibitors.

How do you make your Biopur products free of pyrogens?

All Biopur products are manufactured fully automatically under cleanroom conditions. This eliminates contamination of the disposables through contact with people. An independent laboratory checks that each individual batch is free of pyrogens.Additionally the products are sterilized by radiation or treatment with ethylene oxide.

What is the shelf life of Eppendorf Biopur products?

If the Biopur products are stored according to the information in the instruction manual they have a shelf life of 5 years. The minimum expiry date is printed on the label of the box.

Why are there double labels on the folding boxes, as "PCR clean" + "Sterile" or "PCR clean" + "Protein-free"?

Due to the modularization of purity grades, some products are labeled with more than one purity grade symbol. For example, the epDualfilter T.I.P.S. has the double seal "PCR clean "+ "Sterile" and the UVette the double seal "PCR clean" + "Protein-free" on the packing. The certification remains unaffected by the modularization.

Are lot specific certificates for the purity grades available in the internet?

Yes, the lot specific purity certificates, so-called Test report, can be downloaded at the certificates homepage .

Can products of the previous and new modular purity grades (with new seals) be used simultaneously in one application?

Yes, if no batch attachment is required for the application, products of the old and new modular purity grades can be used, as their specifications are the same.

What is the life expectancy of Eppendorf Tubes?

At least 5 years at a storage temperature of +5 to +35 °C. If unopened and properly stored Eppendorf Tubes have shelf-life of 8 Years (standard Eppendorf Quality) or 5 Years on a purity grade (Biopur, PCRclean, Sterile, Forensic DNA Grade, ). Please observe " Instruction for Use" for storage condition recommendations: - Instruction for Use (IFU) of Tubes - Conical tubes, SafeCode tubes and SnapTec tubes - Instruction for Use of 5 mL Tubes - Instruction für Use of LoBind Tubes

From what material are Eppendorf Tubes manufactured?

All Eppendorf Tubes are manufactured from virgin polypropylene. The used polypropylene (PP) fulfils the specifications of the FDA for the use of plastics for foodstuffs. During production, no slip agents, biocides, or plasticizers are used. Colorants are free of biological material, free of heavy metals, and free of melamine. No metal-based dyes are used. Please see General Quality Certificate for epT.I.P.S, Combitips ® advanced, ViscoTip, Tubes, Plates, UVette.

Do you offer siliconized micro test tubes?

Our tube assortment does not include coated or siliconized tubes. In order to keep sample loss caused by the adsorption of sample material on the tube wall to a minimum, we recommend using the Eppendorf Protein LoBind Tubes or Eppendorf DNA LoBind Tubes. These are made of a special type of polypropylene and are manufactured under optimized process conditions.

Is there a chemical resistance overview for the individual Tube types?

Yes. The Eppendorf Application Note 056 "The Best Material for Original Eppendorf Tubes ® and Plates: Properties and Chemical Resistance of Polypropylene" includes among other things a detailed material stability overview.

Can Eppendorf micro test tubes be sterilized with ethylene oxide?

Yes, this is possible. Please note that the micro test tubes have to be taken out of the packaging for sterilization. In addition, please note that some ethylene oxide will remain in the material after sterilization.

Can your micro test tubes be frozen at -80 °C?

Yes. Please refer to the operating manual.

Can your micro test tubes be coated with acrylic resin within the framework of a UV polymerization?

Yes, the tubes can withstand UV polymerization. However, we cannot give you any instructions for the procedure.

Can autoclaving inactivate bacterial endotoxin contamination in Eppendorf Tubes?

No. Bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) are very stable and withstand normal autoclaving at 121 °C. To inactivate LPS, the objects have to be baked at 250 °C, which, of course, is not possible with plastics.

Are the Eppendorf Tubes anti-static?

Eppendorf tubes, including SafeCode tubes and all biobased tube variants, are not produced from antistatic material, i.e. they are basically not antistatic. But it should be noted that the use of antistatic agents during production will destroy or reduce the wettability of the tubes.

Which Eppendorf micro test tubes are free of DNA?

All micro test tubes designated with "PCR clean" are free of human DNA, DNase, RNase and PCR inhibitors. Our Safe-Lock micro test tubes are also available in the "Eppendorf Biopur" purity standard. Due to the special manufacturing processes and the individual blister-packaging, Biopur products are certified "DNA free".

How do you define the temperature entry "RT", for example, as a storage condition for your micro test tubes?

Definition of RT (room temperature): +15 to +25 °C.

What is the best way to label Eppendorf Tubes?

Tubes should be clean, free from grease and only labeled on the space provided. Water-resistant felt pens from Steadtler S and F, in black, are the most suitable for this. The writing should be left to dry for at least 2 min.

Do Eppendorf Tubes contain heavy metals?

Heavy metal values are available in the general "Certificate of Quality - Tubes - Trace metal". All the values are below the prescribed limits of the listed DIN norm.

Overview regarding the centrifugation resistance of Eppendorf Tubes

Please consult the "Instruction for Use" of the respective Tube.

Are the Eppendorf tubes autoclavable?

Yes, all Eppendorf tubes are autoclavable when open (20 min, 121 °C, 1 bar).

Are Safe-Lock micro test tubes safe for use in the food industry in USA?

The composition of the Safe-Lock micro test tubes (0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 mL) conforms to the specifications of the FDA regulation 21 CFR § 177,1520 "Olefin polymers". Please review the Certificate of Quality of Eppendorf Tubes and note: The suitability of a consumer item for the intended purpose, the influence of the taste and smell of the filled goods and the conformation to limits (e.g. global migration, specific limits and further analytical requirements) must be checked with the manufacturer or user in individual cases.

Are Safe-Lock micro test tubes safe for use in the food industry in Europe?

Our Safe-Lock micro test tubes are suitable for use in the food industry according to the Food and Consumer Goods Legislation § 5, paragraph 1 no. 1 (food and consumer goods). Please note: The suitability of a consumer item for the intended purpose, the influence of the taste and smell of the filled goods and the conformation to limits (e.g. global migration, specific limits and further analytical requirements) must be checked with the manufacturer or user in individual cases.

Do your Safe-Lock micro test tubes contain polyethylene glycol (PEG)?

No. All our test tubes are made from pure polypropylene. The material does not contain PEG.

In which temperature range can the Safe-Lock micro test tubes be used?

They can be used from -80 °C to +100 °C. However at temperatures of > 95 °C the tube lids are more likely to pop open. For purposes of autoclaving, the tubes can be heated up to 121 °C.

To what extent are the amber colored Safe-Lock micro test tubes permeable to fluorescent dyes?

The amber colored Safe-Lock micro test tubes protect from light in the spectrum from 700 nm to the UV spectrum of 190 nm. In the spectrum of visible light (350 - 600 nm) the protection is optimal with lessening intensity. At approx. 550 nm (excitation wavelength for Cy3) the measured deletion is app. 1, meaning that 90 % of the incident light is blocked by the walls of the tube. At 650 nm (excitation wavelength for Cy5) the measured deletion is app. 0.35, meaning that app. 65 % of the incident light is blocked by the walls of the tube. If that is not sufficient, we recommend wrapping the tube in aluminum foil.

Are Eppendorf tubes and plates (also LoBind variants) resistant to 100% acetonitrile?

Eppendorf tubes and plates including LoBind variants are resistant against 100% acetonitrile only in room temperature conditions. Above 40°C and prolonged exposure (days) may lead to partial damage and is not recommended. For lower acetonitrile concentrations the resistance parameters will be better so prolonged exposure and higher temperatures may be possible. This must be however tested by the customer.