Laboratory Accessories

Laboratories use a vast array of accessories that enable and facilitate various experiments or analyses. Laboratory accessories are used in different scientific fields, from chemistry and biology, to physics and medicine. Below are some of the most common laboratory accessories that are offered in our EPRO Science store.

Laboratory accessories for cell cultures

Inoculation loops, spreaders, scrapers and spatulas are laboratory tools that are used for direct sample handling.

Here is a brief description of each tool:

• Inoculation loops are tools that allow easy and precise transfer of microbiological material. Inoculation loops are mainly used for transferring samples taken from bacterial colonies or bacterial suspensions to other media or for analysis in chemical and biological laboratories. They are terminated with an eyelet, the diameter of which is precisely defined and should be appropriate for the concentration of individual cells in solution.

• Spreaders are thin, delicate tools that are primarily used to spread substances on a microbiological medium. Spreaders come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the application. They are made of glass, stainless steel or plastic. Plastic spreaders are very common in microbiology laboratories and serve as disposable instruments.

• Scrapers are tools that are useful for removing cells from the surface of microbiological media, from the surface of dishes, flasks or plates. Scrapers can have different types of tips, different sizes and be sterile or non-sterile.

• The main application of spatulas is bacterial, cellular or tissue cultures. They are used to perform cultures, and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with ends that can be flat, rounded or conical.

Weighing boats as essential laboratory accessories

Weighing boats are containers that are used to weigh chemical substances in laboratories. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small vessels for weighing a few milligrams of substance to larger vessels used for weighing several kilograms.

Weighing boats are typically made of glass or plastic. As weighing substances in weighing boats requires precision and accuracy, boats must be cleaned and dried before use to avoid measurement errors.

Weighing boats are an important element of laboratory equipment, as they allow precise measurement of the amount of substance needed for an experiment, which is crucial for reproducible results.

Types of laboratory flasks

Another useful laboratory accessory are flasks, which are containers used to store and transport chemical substances in laboratories. Flasks are offered in different shapes and sizes, depending on their application.

The most commonly used laboratory flasks are:

• Conical flasks – they have a conical bottom which makes it easier to mix the contents. They are used to store liquids, and thanks to their conical shape, they can be placed in special stands. Flasks allow observation of the substance in the conical bottom part of the flask, and thanks to their shape they can be easily inserted into special shaker holders, which is perfect when we want to mix or shake a culture or other suspension for a specific period of time.

• Neck flasks – have different neck sizes for precise dispensing and pouring of substances. The size of the neck is also important in terms of access to the contents of the flask. Neck flasks are mainly used for storing liquids and for easy addition of substances during experiments.

• Flasks with a screw cap – they feature a special screw cap that allows the bottle to be hermetically sealed. They are used to store substances that are sensitive to the air or environmental conditions in which the flasks are stored. Flasks with a screw cap can also be made of amber glass that provides protection of light-sensitive material.

Reservoirs as a useful laboratory accessory

Laboratory reservoirs are used for rinsing or pouring off chemical substances. They feature a raised bottom for easy rinsing, and an angled edge that allows liquids to be poured off with precision and control.

Reservoirs are usually made of plastic or glass. They come in different sizes and shapes, depending on their application. The most common are trough-shaped reservoirs, which are used for rinsing test tubes or pouring off small amounts of liquid, and V-shaped reservoirs, which allow precise measuring and mixing of liquids. They are also used for multi-channel pipettes, allowing 8 or 12-channel pipettes to collect the appropriate volume of liquid at the same time.

Reservoirs are very useful in everyday laboratory work, providing control and precision when dispensing or pouring off chemical substances, which is crucial for the safety and accuracy of test results.

Laboratory accessories in EPRO Science

All the accessories presented are indispensable in the laboratory as they enable accurate and precise sample handling for reliable and reproducible results of tests and analyses. In addition, to make your work in the laboratory even more enjoyable, we offer a wide range of these laboratory accessories in the EPRO store, so that everyone can find the products they need to perform their tests. The EPRO team is more than happy to help you choose the best product and answer any questions you may have. Take a look at the range of products offered in the EPRO store and get in touch.