10–100 µL Immunostain Moisture Chambers — Amber Polystyrene, 3/Bag (240-9035-N10)
These amber polystyrene immunostain moisture chambers are designed to maintain a saturated humid environment around standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides during antibody incubation, preventing the evaporation of small-volume reagent applications (10–100 µL) that cause concentration gradients, edge artifacts, and uneven staining. Supplied non-sterile in a bag of three, part number 240-9035-N10 suits IHC, IF, FISH, ISH, and proximity ligation assay workflows where consistent humidity is critical to reproducible results. The amber polystyrene construction provides partial UV filtration to protect light-sensitive conjugates and fluorescent reagents while retaining the rigidity and autoclave compatibility required for routine laboratory decontamination.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 240-9035-N10 |
| Product Type | Immunostain Moisture Chamber |
| Material | Polystyrene (PS) |
| Color | Amber |
| Slide Format | Standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides |
| Reagent Volume Range | 10–100 µL per slide application |
| Light Properties | UV-filtering — partial light protection for UV-sensitive conjugates |
| Autoclave Compatibility | Yes — 121°C / 15 psi |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 3/Bag |
| BPA / Phthalates | BPA-free; no phthalate plasticizers |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): primary and secondary antibody incubation on FFPE and frozen tissue sections, including high-sensitivity phospho-antibody and multiplex IHC panels
- Immunofluorescence (IF): incubation of fluorescent primary and secondary antibody solutions where partial UV shielding reduces photobleaching risk during room-temperature or 37°C incubation steps
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and in situ hybridization (ISH): maintaining precise humidity during probe hybridization to prevent dehydration-related signal artifacts
- Proximity ligation assay (PLA): critical humidity control for low-volume, high-sensitivity co-localization detection protocols
- General slide-based staining: any protocol requiring a defined humid environment at room temperature, 4°C, or 37°C to prevent evaporation from small reagent volumes on slide surfaces
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| PBS / TBS aqueous buffers | Excellent |
| Citrate and EDTA antigen retrieval buffers | Excellent |
| Hematoxylin and eosin | Excellent |
| DAB chromogen | Excellent |
| Ethanol (<70%) | Limited — short-term contact only |
| Acetone / chloroform / aromatic solvents | Not recommended |
| Alcohols >70% | Not recommended |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Caplugs® Evergreen moisture chambers are manufactured from virgin, BPA-free, phthalate-free polystyrene under ISO 9001 quality management, ensuring consistent chamber geometry and humidity performance across every production lot. The rigid PS construction maintains lid-seal integrity under full slide loads, so humidity is not compromised during incubation. LabSupplies.com is an authorized dealer of Caplugs® Evergreen consumables and ships from USA inventory, with tiered pricing available for high-volume, institutional, and grant-funded procurement. For laboratories requiring different light-handling properties in the same chamber format, matched options are available in natural PS (240-9000-010) and black PS (240-9020-Z10), enabling consistent procurement across all three specifications from a single vendor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the amber color differ from the black or natural PS moisture chamber options?
The amber polystyrene provides partial UV filtration, offering meaningful but not complete light exclusion — a practical middle ground for mixed-protocol laboratories running both standard chromogenic IHC panels and light-sensitive fluorescent or conjugated antibody applications. For full light exclusion, the black PS variant (240-9020-Z10) is the appropriate choice; for protocols with no light-sensitivity concern, the natural PS version (240-9000-010) is available.
Can these moisture chambers be autoclaved between staining runs?
Yes. The polystyrene construction is compatible with standard autoclave conditions (121°C / 15 psi), allowing full decontamination between staining runs or between different antibody panels to eliminate cross-contamination risk.
What slide format do these chambers accommodate?
The chambers are designed for standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides, which is the format used for the vast majority of histology, IHC, IF, and FISH workflows in clinical and research settings.
Why does humidity control matter for 10–100 µL antibody applications?
At volumes of 10–100 µL spread across a slide surface, even modest evaporation during incubation creates reagent concentration gradients that produce uneven staining, edge artifacts, and false-positive signal — problems that are especially pronounced in high-sensitivity assays such as phospho-antibody IHC and multiplex fluorescent panels. The moisture chamber eliminates these variables by maintaining a saturated humid environment throughout the incubation period.