For proteins and other biological samples such as nucleic acids with 10K MWCO, Pierce Protein Enrichment Tubes (PES) provide rapid protein concentration, excellent sample recovery and instrument compatibility. These centrifugal devices feature high-throughput polyethersulfone (PES) membranes and are suitable for concentration, desalting and buffer exchange of biological samples. These concentrator tubes have a MWCO of 10K and can be used to handle sample volumes from 0.5-100 mL.

Features of the 10K MWCO Protein Concentrator (PES) include:
•Fast protein concentration—Uses the 0.5 mL concentrator tube in 10 minutes or less Other volume concentrators can concentrate samples 10 to 30 times in 15 minutes or less
• Excellent protein recovery—Typical protein recovery >90% (sample mass at least (when twice the published MWCO)
• Instrument Compatibility—Standard microcentrifuges with horizontal baskets (except 88513) or fixed-angle rotors can be used; no counter-rotation is required for collection and recovery Samples
• Versatile—Concentrate, diafiltrate, or buffer exchange biological samples with ease

For easy identification, the MWCO value is etched on the side of each tube. To facilitate sample addition and recovery, each tube has a graduated transparent window on the side for visual determination of the trapped volume. The vertical design of the membrane enables high throughput rates, low non-specific binding and negligible protein aggregation on the membrane, and provides reliable and consistent results for processing sample volumes of 0.5-100 mL. Typical protein recoveries are 90% when the mass of protein in the sample is at least twice the MWCO of the device used. For example, when concentrating IgG (MW ∼150 KDa) samples, use 3K, 10K, 30K, or 50K MWCO concentrator tubes. The final sample concentration can be 10 to 30 times in 10 minutes using 0.5 mL concentrator tubes and 15 minutes using other size concentrator tubes

Protein Concentrator Tube (PES) Applications< br>• Protein concentration from tissue culture media, antisera or monoclonal antibody preparations
• Concentration of peak proteins after processing by gel permeation chromatography
• Removal of unbound label after protein modification reaction< br>• Concentration, desalting/buffer exchange of proteins eluted from ion exchange columns
• Separation of molecules of different sizes

Pierce Protein Enrichment Tubes (PES) contain a membrane to trap molecules , the molecular weight of the trapped molecules is at least twice the MWCO marked value of the PES membrane in the device. Using concentrator tubes with a molecular weight smaller than recommended may reduce recovery. Protein recovery will vary depending on the specific protein in the sample and its starting concentration.

The stop volumes for the 0.5 mL, 2–6 mL, 5–20 mL, and 20–100 mL concentrator tubes are approximately 15 µL, 30 µL, 50 µL, and 350 µL, respectively.

To achieve >90% protein recovery using 0.5 mL concentrator tubes, the protein sample concentration should be at least 0.05 mg/mL. For all other concentrator tubes, the protein sample concentration should be no less than 0.1 mg/mL.

Excellent centrifugation and speed
Efficient use of 0.5 mL concentrator tubes at maximum centrifugal force of 15,000 × g using only a fixed-angle centrifuge.

For 2-6 mL concentrator tubes, horizontal basket or fixed angle centrifuge models are available. Horizontal basket centrifuges are capable of producing a centrifugal force of 2,000–4,000 × g, with a maximum recommended centrifugal force of 4,000 × g. For fixed-angle centrifuges, models are capable of generating centrifugal forces of 5,000–10,000 × g, with a maximum recommended centrifugal force of 8,000 × g.

For concentrator tubes with volumes of 5-20 mL, horizontal basket or fixed angle centrifuge models are available. Horizontal basket centrifuges are capable of producing a centrifugal force of 2,000–5,000 × g, with a maximum recommended centrifugal force of 4,000 × g. For fixed-angle centrifuges, models are capable of generating centrifugal forces of 5,000–8,000 × g, with a maximum recommended centrifugal force of 6,000 × g.

For 20-100 mL concentrator tubes, only horizontal basket centrifuges capable of generating 1,000–2,000 × g centrifugal force are recommended. 20–100 mL concentrator tubes use a maximum centrifugal force of 2,000 × g. These concentrator tubes are not recommended for use in fixed-angle rotors.

Centrifugal force, temperature and sample volume, concentration and viscosity will affect filtration rate, requiring optimization of time for each application.