16 mL Round-Bottom Sterile Test Tubes — Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC), Natural, 25/Bag (222-2380-080)
These 16 mL round-bottom test tubes measure 17 × 100 mm and are molded from polypropylene copolymer (PPC), offering two critical material advantages over standard polystyrene: superior cold-temperature flexibility for frozen-storage workflows and full compatibility with methanol and organic solvents used in intracellular staining and fixation protocols. Supplied sterile and packaged 25/Bag, part number 222-2380-080 is well suited for roller tube culture, large-volume T-cell stimulation, flow cytometry sample preparation, and high-volume serology at the 16 mL scale.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 222-2380-080 |
| Capacity | 16 mL |
| Dimensions | 17 × 100 mm |
| Geometry | Round Bottom |
| Material | Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) |
| Color | Natural |
| Cap / Closure | None (open top) — use a compatible separate cap or stopper |
| Sterility | Sterile |
| Pack Size | 25/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalate / Latex | BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Latex-Free |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Roller tube culture: The 17 × 100 mm format seats directly in standard roller drum incubators; PPC's methanol compatibility supports post-culture staining without tube degradation.
- Large-volume T-cell stimulation: The 16 mL working volume accommodates high-density stimulation cultures, and PPC tubes tolerate cold-storage retrieval between assay steps.
- Intracellular staining and nuclear fixation: PPC withstands prolonged methanol contact used in fix-perm protocols where polystyrene tubes exhibit stress crazing.
- Flow cytometry sample preparation: Stained samples can be frozen at −80 °C for batch analysis; PPC's cold-temperature flexibility significantly reduces the risk of brittle fracture on retrieval.
- High-volume serology: The round-bottom geometry and natural PPC color maintain sufficient optical clarity for visual agglutination reading.
- Clinical centrifugation: Suitable for use in clinical centrifuges with a 17 × 100 mm adapter (verify adapter compatibility with your specific centrifuge model).
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous buffers / saline | Excellent | PPC is inert across a broad pH range. |
| Serum / plasma / whole blood | Excellent | Standard biological matrix; low protein-binding surface. |
| Methanol (<100%) | Excellent | Full methanol compatibility — key advantage over PS, which crazes under methanol exposure. |
| Dilute acids and bases | Excellent | Consistent with general polypropylene copolymer chemistry. |
| Cold storage (−80 °C) | Excellent | PPC's improved cold-temperature flexibility reduces micro-fracture risk vs. PS. |
| Chlorinated / aromatic solvents | Not recommended | Limit exposure to chloroform, toluene, and similar solvents. |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Caplugs® Evergreen tubes are manufactured from FDA-compliant, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free PPC resin. LabSupplies.com is an authorized dealer of Caplugs® Evergreen consumables and ships from USA inventory, typically the same business day for stocking items. Tiered pricing is available for institutional purchasers, clinical laboratories, and grant-funded research programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these tubes sterile, and how are they packaged?
Yes — these 16 mL PPC round-bottom tubes are supplied sterile, packaged 25 tubes per bag. The sterile packaging makes them ready for cell culture, serology, and other aseptic workflows directly out of the bag.
Why choose PPC over standard polystyrene round-bottom tubes?
PPC offers two advantages that PS cannot match at this scale. First, PPC maintains flexibility at −80 °C, so tubes are far less prone to micro-fracture when retrieved from frozen storage or dry-ice transport — a real concern in large longitudinal studies with stain-and-freeze workflows. Second, PPC is fully compatible with methanol, meaning it will not craze or stress-crack during intracellular staining and nuclear fixation protocols that would degrade a PS tube.
Do these tubes come with caps?
No — the 222-2380-080 is an open-top tube and does not include a cap or stopper. If a closure is required, use a separately purchased compatible cap or stopper. Caplugs® Evergreen also offers related 16 mL PPC tube formats with snap caps if a capped assembly is preferred.
Are these tubes autoclavable?
Polypropylene copolymer is generally considered autoclavable, consistent with standard PP chemistry. However, the tubes are supplied pre-sterilized, and autoclaving is not required for typical cell culture or serology use. If re-sterilization by autoclave is needed for your protocol, verify cycle parameters against your laboratory's validated procedures.