30 mL Centrifuge Tube Spork — Single-Use PP Combination Spoon/Spatula, Natural (220-3585-030)
These single-use polypropylene sporks are purpose-built for use with 30 mL freestanding centrifuge tubes, providing a combined scooping and spatula edge in one molded piece for sample manipulation that a standard pipette cannot perform. Supplied non-sterile in a convenient 1000/Bag format, each spork reaches the full depth of a 30 mL tube to disrupt pellets, retrieve viscous or semi-solid matrices, and transfer pastes or gels without introducing metal ions or cross-contamination from reusable tools. The natural polypropylene construction is chemically inert across the standard aqueous and buffer range, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 220-3585-030 |
| Product Type | Spork (Combination Spoon/Spatula) |
| Compatible Tube Size | 30 mL Freestanding Centrifuge Tubes (220-3530 Series) |
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) |
| Color | Natural |
| Format | Single-Use Disposable |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 1000/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalate / Latex | BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Latex-Free |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Post-centrifugation pellet resuspension in 30 mL tubes — the spork reaches the full tube depth to physically disrupt compacted cell or protein pellets
- Semi-solid sample retrieval — scoops gels, creams, pastes, and other viscous matrices that cannot be aspirated with a pipette
- High-viscosity liquid mixing — single-use format prevents cross-contamination between samples without any cleaning step
- Reagent and semi-solid material transfer from centrifuge tube to recipient vessel
- Sediment or environmental matrix disturbance — flat spatula edge scrapes adhered material from tube walls
- Biofilm and microbial culture scraping from 30 mL tube walls during microbiological workflows
- Post-incubation mixing of solidified agar, gel, or media — single-use eliminates the need to autoclave reusable metal tools
Compatibility
These sporks are designed to fit the opening and full depth of 30 mL freestanding centrifuge tubes in the Caplugs® Evergreen 220-3530 series, including the 220-3530-030 (polypropylene) and 220-3530-080 (polypropylene copolymer) tube formats. Pairing part number 220-3585-030 sporks with 220-3530 series tubes ensures dimensional compatibility and a consistent single-supplier consumable program for 30 mL tube workflows.
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers / saline | Excellent |
| Dilute acids and bases (<10%) | Excellent |
| Biological matrices (serum, lysate, media) | Excellent |
| Alcohols (ethanol, methanol <70%) | Good — short-term contact |
| Acetone / chloroform / aromatic solvents | Not recommended |
| Chlorinated solvents (DCM, chlorobenzene) | Not recommended |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, Caplugs® Evergreen sporks are manufactured from FDA-compliant, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free polypropylene resin under an ISO 9001 quality management system. The single-use disposable format eliminates the autoclaving burden, residue carryover, and metal ion leaching associated with reusable stainless steel spatulas, making these tools particularly well-suited for sensitive biological, microbiological, and analytical workflows. LabSupplies.com is an authorized Caplugs® Evergreen dealer and ships from USA inventory, typically same business day for stocking items, with tiered volume pricing available for institutional and grant-funded laboratories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these sporks sterile?
No — they are supplied non-sterile in 1000/Bag bulk packaging. For workflows requiring sterile tools, consider gamma-irradiation or UV treatment in your laboratory prior to use, as these sporks are not individually wrapped or certified sterile from the manufacturer.
What makes a spork better than a standard spatula or pipette for 30 mL tube work?
A conventional pipette tip cannot access semi-solid, gel, or paste-consistency samples at the bottom of a 30 mL tube. A spork's combined spoon bowl and flat spatula edge allows technicians to scoop, scrape, and transfer viscous or compacted material in a single, familiar motion — and the single-use polypropylene construction means no metal ion contamination and no cleaning step between samples.
Which Caplugs® Evergreen centrifuge tubes are these sporks compatible with?
These sporks are dimensionally designed for the 220-3530 series of 30 mL freestanding centrifuge tubes, specifically the 220-3530-030 (PP) and 220-3530-080 (PPC) formats. They are not intended for use with other tube volumes or tube series.
Can polypropylene sporks be used with organic solvents or strong acids?
Polypropylene performs well with aqueous buffers, dilute acids and bases, and short-term contact with lower-concentration alcohols. However, chlorinated solvents (such as chloroform or dichloromethane), aromatic solvents, and acetone are not compatible with PP and may cause swelling or degradation. For solvent-heavy workflows, verify chemical compatibility before use.