Analysis of the reasons for the increase in viscosity of serum separation gel

Serum separation gel is a high molecular weight polymer that can form a barrier during centrifugation to separate different components of the blood, such as plasma and red blood cells. This colloidal substance has good viscosity and stability, making it an indispensable separation tool in the laboratory. However, in practical operation, sometimes we may find that the viscosity of serum separation gel increases abnormally, which not only affects the experimental efficiency, but may also have a negative impact on the experimental results. So, what are the reasons for the increase in viscosity of serum separation gel?

The reason for the increase in viscosity of serum separation gel

1. Quality issue: Firstly, the quality issue of the serum separation gel itself may be the direct cause of the increase in viscosity. If there are impurities in the colloid, uneven distribution of polymer molecular weight, or improper preparation process, it may lead to abnormal viscosity. Therefore, when purchasing and using serum separation gel, it is important to choose legitimate channels to ensure product quality.

serum separation gel

2. Improper storage: The storage conditions of serum separation gel have a significant impact on its performance. If the colloid is exposed to unsuitable temperature, humidity, or light environment for a long time, it may cause changes in the polymer structure, leading to an increase in viscosity. Therefore, the laboratory should strictly store serum separation gel in accordance with the requirements of the product manual to ensure its stable performance.

3. Using expired products: Serum separation gel has a certain shelf life, and expired products may increase viscosity due to polymer degradation. Therefore, laboratories should regularly check the expiration date of inventory products to avoid using expired products.

4. Improper operation: During the experiment, improper operation may also lead to an increase in the viscosity of serum separation gel. For example, failure to operate at the specified speed and time during centrifugation may result in changes in colloidal properties. Therefore, experimenters should strictly follow the experimental steps to ensure the accuracy of the experimental results.

5. External pollution: Dust, microorganisms and other pollutants in the laboratory environment may enter the serum separation gel, leading to an increase in its viscosity. To avoid this situation, the laboratory should maintain good cleanliness and regularly clean and disinfect equipment such as the experimental bench and centrifuge.

6. Batch differences: There may be performance differences in serum separation gels produced from different batches, including differences in viscosity, stability, and other aspects. Therefore, when using serum separation gels from different batches in the laboratory, attention should be paid to observing their performance changes in order to adjust the experimental conditions in a timely manner.

How to avoid the problem of increased viscosity of serum separation gel

1. Strictly control quality: When purchasing serum separation gel, reputable suppliers should be selected to ensure reliable product quality. At the same time, the laboratory should establish a strict quality testing system and conduct quality testing on the purchased serum separation gel to ensure that it meets the experimental requirements.

2. Standardized storage conditions: The laboratory should strictly store serum separation gel in accordance with the requirements of the product manual, ensuring that it is in a suitable temperature, humidity, and light environment. At the same time, regular inspections and adjustments should be made to the storage conditions to ensure stable colloidal properties.

3. Reasonable use of products: When using serum separation gel, laboratory personnel should strictly follow the experimental steps to ensure that the addition amount, shaking degree, centrifugation time and other parameters meet the regulations. Meanwhile, be careful to avoid using expired products or colloids that have been stored for a long time.

Product packaging

4. Keep the laboratory clean: The laboratory should maintain good cleanliness and regularly clean and disinfect equipment such as experimental benches and centrifuges. In addition, experimenters should pay attention to avoiding the entry of external pollutants during experimental operations.

5. Pay attention to batch differences: When using serum separation gel from different batches, experimenters should pay attention to observing their performance changes and adjust experimental conditions in a timely manner to adapt to the performance differences of different batches of colloids.

Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. has a history of nearly 20 years in the research and development of serum separation gel. The professional research and development team and production equipment ensure product quality. In addition to serum separation gel, Desheng Company can provide a full range of blood collection additives. If you have any purchasing needs, please click on the official website to learn more details or contact me!

FAQ

What is the function of serum separating gel?

During centrifugal separation, the serum separator gel enters between the serum component and the clot component to form a partition wall. The partition wall formed by the serum separator gel makes it possible to collect the serum component required for blood tests stably and easily.

What does the gel separate the serum from in the serum separator tubes?

Clot activator and gel for serum separator Serum separator tube (SST) contains a gel at the bottom to separate blood cells from serum on centrifugation.

What color tube is serum gel?

Serum tubes: include Red top tubes (no preservative) with clot activator and SST (gold top) gel separator tubes with clot activator. Used for serum determinations including chemistry testing, serology, and therapeutic drug monitoring.