Standard clear 15 mL conical tubes expose samples to light — a problem for any reagent, nucleic acid preparation, or compound that is photosensitive. The Heathrow Scientific HS4428 15 mL Black Conical Centrifuge Tube solves this with an opaque black polypropylene wall that blocks light entirely, protecting light-sensitive samples without requiring foil wrapping, secondary containment, or darkened incubation conditions.
Factory sterile and DNase/RNase-free, the HS4428 is ready for direct use in molecular biology, cell culture, and pharmaceutical applications without pre-treatment. Rated to 11,000 × g with 0.5 mL graduation intervals up to 15 mL, leak-proof screw cap with writing area, and lot-to-lot traceability with easy-tear packaging. Supplied in a Case of 500 bulk wrap.
Features and Benefits
Opaque Black Tube - Light Barrier: Black polypropylene wall blocks visible and UV light — protects light-sensitive samples, fluorescent compounds, and photolabile reagents stored or processed in the tube without secondary containment.
Sterile with 3-Year Shelf Life: Factory sterile with a 3-year sterile expiration date — long shelf life supports bulk stock purchasing programs without sterilization date pressure.
DNase and RNase Free: Lot-certified clean — eliminates nuclease contamination risk in RNA isolation, transcript analysis, and other nucleic acid applications requiring intact RNA.
11,000 × g Centrifuge Rating: Handles high-speed centrifuge protocols for cell pelleting, precipitation, and density gradient applications within standard conical tube centrifuge settings.
0.5 mL Graduation Intervals: Fine-pitch graduation marks at every 0.5 mL up to 15 mL — precise visual volume reading for small-volume work without a separate graduated vessel.
Leak-Proof Screw Cap with Writing Area: Secure screw cap prevents sample loss during centrifugation and transport; flat cap top provides a writable surface for direct tube labeling.
Lot-to-Lot Traceability: Easy-tear packaging includes lot information for complete traceability — essential for GLP, GMP, and regulated research environments.
Case of 500 Bulk Wrap: 500 tubes per case in bulk packaging — high-count case reduces reorder frequency and per-tube cost for high-consumption labs.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | HS4428 |
| Brand | Heathrow Scientific |
| Volume | 15 mL |
| Color | Black (opaque, light-blocking) |
| Material | Polypropylene |
| Diameter | 0.7 in (1.7 cm) |
| Height | 120 mm |
| Max RCF | 11,000 × g |
| Graduations | 0.5 mL intervals up to 15 mL |
| Cap Style | Leak-proof screw cap with writing area |
| Sterile | Yes — 3-year sterile expiration |
| DNase/RNase Free | Yes — lot certified |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Packaging | Case of 500, Bulk Wrap |
| Country of Origin | China |
Laboratory Applications
Fluorescent dye, luciferin, and bioluminescent reagent storage where UV and visible light exposure causes photobleaching or premature activation
RNA isolation and mRNA-based workflows where light-induced RNA degradation through oxidative stress is a concern during processing steps
Pharmaceutical compound stability testing where photostability studies require light-exposed vs. light-protected sample pairs in identical tube formats
Cell culture supernatant collection where cytokines, growth factors, or secreted proteins are sensitive to light-induced degradation during processing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does the black tube actually block?
The opaque black polypropylene wall blocks effectively all visible light and UV light — providing similar protection to aluminum foil wrapping without the handling inconvenience. For extremely sensitive photochemical reactions requiring complete darkness, combine with dark storage conditions for added protection.
Are these tubes sterile from the factory — do I need to autoclave them before use?
Yes, they are factory sterile and ready for immediate use in sterile workflows. Autoclaving is not required before use but is possible if needed for your specific protocol.
Are these compatible with standard 15 mL conical tube centrifuge rotors?
Yes. The HS4428 has standard 15 mL conical geometry compatible with fixed-angle and swinging-bucket rotors from major centrifuge manufacturers. Maximum rated RCF is 11,000 × g — confirm your rotor speed does not exceed this limit.
Is the 50 mL version also available in black?
Yes. For light-blocking 50 mL conical tube applications, see the Heathrow Scientific 50 mL Black Conical Tubes (HS4323K series, also available in Cases of 500).
Quality Assurance
Heathrow Scientific manufactures HS4428 15 mL Black Conical Tubes from opaque black polypropylene with lot-by-lot certification for sterility, DNase-free status, and RNase-free status. Each case includes lot traceability documentation. Tubes are tested for 11,000 × g structural integrity and leak-proof screw cap seal performance prior to release.
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.