Ultimate Guide to Pipettes: Everything You Need to Know

In modern laboratories, pipettes—also known as pipets, pipetters, or even "pippettes," as they are occasionally misspelled—are important instruments. Pipettes provide accurate and reliable results, whether you're preparing biological samples or performing exact chemical investigations. We will cover pipette types, applications, principles of operation, and best practices in this comprehensive guide. You will learn everything there is to know about pipettes and pipettors from this article.

What Is a Pipette?

A pipette is an instrument for research used to transfer an exact amount of liquid; it is occasionally spelt as pipet and sometimes mispronounced as pippette. In disciplines including biology, chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, these instruments are important. 

To put it simply, a pipette is an accurate dropper that enables researchers to transfer liquids with extreme precision. There is a pipette made specifically for transferring 1 µL or 100 mL.

Principle of Pipette

The fundamental concept behind pipettes is positive displacement, often known as air displacement. The majority of manual pipettes work via the air displacement concept, in which a piston draws liquid into a disposable tip by creating a vacuum. The piston's exact movement makes it possible to take extremely precise and accurate measurements, which is essential for chemical testing and scientific research.

Parts of a Pipette

It is easier to use and maintain a pipette when you know its key parts:

• Plunger Button: Used for pouring and taking liquids.
  
  

• Volume Adjustment Dial: Allows the user to adjust the volume to their level.
  
  

• Digital Volume Display: displays the intake volume value.
  
  

• Ejector Button: The pipette tip is ejected.
  
  

• Shaft: Connection between the pipette's lower part and tip.
  
  

• Disposable Tip: the real component that contains the liquid.
  
  

Types of Pipettes

Pasteur Pipettes

These are simple pipettes made of glass or plastic that are used to transfer liquids without exact volume valuations. They are perfect for general-purpose, fast applications. 

Volumetric Pipettes

Analytical chemistry uses volumetric pipettes, which are made to accurately control a single, fixed volume. 

Graduated Pipettes

These are also referred to as measuring pipettes and have graduation markings for different volume measurements. Although they are a little less accurate than volumetric pipettes, they are more flexible.

Vacuum Assisted Pipettes

These take in and distribute liquids using vacuum pressure. They are frequently used in microbiology and cell culture labs where accuracy and sterility are essential. 

Repeater Pipette

From a single inhalation, a repeater pipette may dispense the same volume several times. For tests such as ELISA and other high-throughput operations, this is perfect.

 

Single Channel vs. Multichannel Pipettes

• When transferring liquid one sample at a time, single-channel pipettes work well.

• Multichannel pipettes are ideal for work with microplates since they can handle 8–12 samples at once. 

Manual vs. Electronic Pipettes

• Manual pipettes : Smaller tasks are better served by manual pipettes, which are operated by hand.
  
  

• Electronic pipettes : Electronic pipettes improve accuracy and reduce the workload of humans by automating volume setting and aspiration/dispensing.
  
  

Fixed vs. Adjustable Volume Pipettes

• For a given capacity, fixed-volume pipettes provide the highest level of accuracy.
  
  

• Pipettes with adjustable volumes are flexible and perfect for a range of jobs.
  
  

Specific Purpose Pipettes

Additionally, there are speciality pipettes for specialised uses such as microinjection, gel loading, and digital pipettes for software system integration.

 

How to Use a Pipette: Step by Step Guide

1. Depending on the volume you need, choose the right pipette and tip.

2. Use the adjustment dial to set the desired volume.

3. To avoid contamination, affix a fresh tip.

4. Before you plunge into the liquid, press the plunger to the First Stop.

5. Release the plunger gradually after dipping the tip in the liquid.

6. To get rid of droplets, pull out the tip and press it up against the container wall.

7. Press the first stop to dispense the liquid, then the second stop to release any remaining liquid.

8. Empty the tip into a trash can.
   
   

Applications of Pipettes in Chemistry and Beyond

Pipettes are used in a wide variety of applications:

• Chemical Analysis
  
  

• Pharmaceutical Testing
  
  

• Molecular Biology (PCR, ELISA)
  
  

• Cell Culture
  
  

• Environmental Testing
  
  

• Food and Beverage Quality Control
  
  

Because of their many uses in chemistry labs, pipettes are essential to accurate measurement. 

Advantages of Pipettes

• High Accuracy and Precision
  
  

• Versatility Across Applications
  
  

• Ergonomic and Easy to Use
  
  

• Reduces Cross Contamination
  
  

• Repeatable and Reliable Measurements
  
  

Limitations of Pipettes

• Subject to User Error
  
  

• Requires Regular Calibration
  
  

• Volume Range Limitations
  
  

• Disposable Tips Add Cost
  
  

• Can Be Damaged by Improper Handling
  
  

 

Precautions and Best Practices

• Use the appropriate tip size at all times.

• When using the pipette, do not tilt it.

• To increase accuracy, hydrate the tip beforehand.

• Keep a loaded pipette upright at all times.

• Make use of a pipette holder to store vertically.

• Frequent maintenance and calibration are essential. 

 

Pipet vs Pipette:

The pipet and pipette are names used to describe the same tool. While "pipet" is infrequently used in the US, "pipetette" is the more widely used spelling in scientific literature, particularly in the UK and foreign journals.

The purpose of accurate liquid measurement and transfer—remains the same regardless of spelling.

 

Examples of Industry Leading Pipettes

Serological Pipette PIP Series (Haier Biomedical)

With their clear graduation markings and compatibility with the majority of pipette controllers, these pipettes provide superior accuracy for microbiology and cell culture facilities.

Manual Pipette

Their ergonomic shape and adjustable volume make them ideal for everyday lab operations.

Electronic Pipette

Electronic pipettes increase repeatability and decrease human error when used in automated systems. 

Pasteur Pipette

Simple and disposable, it is utilised in situations where convenience and sterility are crucial but great accuracy is not needed. 

 

Conclusion

Anyone working in the laboratory needs to know how to choose and operate pipettes. Understanding pipetting procedures is essential for maintaining the accuracy of your data and the dependability of your research, regardless of your field—academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical. 

There is a tool for every activity, ranging from simple Pasteur pipettes to advanced computerised pipettors. You can prevent expensive mistakes and guarantee reliable results by using the appropriate equipment and pipetting techniques. 

 

Enjoy the accuracy that only a properly calibrated pipette can provide the next time you're in the lab by choosing the appropriate pipette and following best practices.