MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)

P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS

Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

. ➔ Since the discovery of plastics, it slowly

replaced the glasswares that we often use in
TOPIC OUTLINE the lab
➔ However, nowadays we still tend to continue
I. LABORATORY ● Alumina-Silicate
using glasswares mainly because it is able to
GLASSWARE & Glass
PLASTICWARE ● Acid- Resistant & fill in the limitations of plastics
● Main Functions of Alkali-Resistant Glass
Glasswares & ● Low Actinic Glass A. ADVANTAGES OF PLASTICWARE
Plasticwares ● Soda-Lime Glass ● Cheaper
II. PLASTICWARE IV. MEASURING ● More durable
● Advantages VESSELS ○ Much efficient in resisting the
● Disadvantages ● Graduated Cylinder corrosive effects of strong acids and
● Major Types of ● Burets
strong alkali solutions
Resin Used in ● Volumetric flask
Clin Chem Lab ● Pipet ● Preferred for some analyses
● Polystyrene V. CLEANING OF ○ Example:
● Polyethylene PLASTICWARE ■ Testing for heavy metals (NO
● Polypropylene /GLASSWARE GLASS)
● Teflon VI. PIPET ○ Some heavy metals that we need to
● Polycarbonate CLASSIFICATION analyze could also be present in
III. GLASSWARE ● Design glasswares, and they could be
● Advantages ● Drainage
considered as a contaminant
● General Characteristics
Categories of ● Types ■ It could react and affect the
Glass VII. SEMI-AUTOMATIC & testing
● Borosilicate AUTOMATIC ○ These heavy metals are not present
● High Silica Glass PIPETTES AND in plasticwares
● Alumina-Silicate DISPENSERS ■ Hence, plasticwares are
Glass used since they do not react
with heavy metals

I. LABORATORY GLASSWARE & ➔ Glass is hard to manufacture. Although it is

PLASTICWARE durable, it has the tendency to break
● Equipments in the laboratory can either be (especially when dropped) in comparison to
made of glass or plastic plasticwares
○ If they are made up of glass, it is
actually a specific type of glass that’s B. DISADVANTAGES OF PLASTICWARE
why they are correctly termed as ● Evaporation through the breathing of the plastic
glasswares ○ Plasticwares are not often utilized as
○ Nowadays, the use of plastic storage vessels
equipment is rampant, however, ■ Especially prolonged use as
plastics tend to have limitations = storage
they can’t support heat ■ Example: Dealing with strong
■ That’s why we still continue alcohols
to use glasswares ● Will evaporate
● Plasticwares are not
A. MAIN FUNCTIONS OF GLASSWARES & able to contain
PLASTICWARES ○ They tend to be porous
I. Storage ● Evaporation of dyes, stains, and proteins, picric
A. In the laboratory, we tend to store both acids
the samples as well as reagents ○ Damages the plastic as well as the
B. That’s why it is necessary that we integrity of the component itself
make use of glasswares and ○ They will evaporate in plasticwares
plasticwares that has a specific quality ○ Essential to be stored in
such as: glasswares
1. Ability to withstand extreme
temperature; C. MAJOR TYPES OF RESIN USED IN CLIN.
2. And the corrosive effects of CHEM LAB:
strong acids and strong (Details on Henry, chapter 4, p. 60)
alkaline solutions I. Polystyrene
II. Measurement II. Polyethylene
III. Containment III. Polypropylene
IV. Teflon
II. PLASTICWARE V. Polycarbonate
➔ Since early times, majority of the laboratory
equipment are actually made up of glass ● Almost the same, just different by their
component (based on their name)

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

● The type of plastic you will use will depend on ○ Reagents may be strong acids
the procedure you are going to perform because the pipet tips can withstand
● Indicated with arrows = types of resins that are extreme pH
in contact with our food: ● Characteristics:
○ PET or PETE (Polyethylene ○ Flexible or rigid
terephthalate) ○ Chemical-resistant
○ HDPE (High-density polyethylene) ■ It will not be destroyed, and
○ LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) at the same time, the
○ PP (Polypropylene) chemical composition of
● Others cannot be used for food because once whatever strong solutions we
ingested, they may produce harm are dealing with will not be
affected by this type of
D. POLYSTYRENE plastic
➔ By the name itself, the plastic is made up of ■ Can handle biohazards
styrene ● Ex: Processing viral
● Characteristics: transport mediums
○ Rigid and samples with
○ Clear COVID-19
○ NOT to be autoclaved ○ Can be autoclaved
■ The temperature of the ■ Autoclave before disposing it.
autoclave is very high ■ It can withstand the
■ When polystyrene is placed temperature of the autoclave
in the autoclave, it will melt ● Uses:
■ Can be reused with other ○ For cryogenic procedures
means of disinfection but ■ Cryo or cold
NOT AUTOCLAVING ■ Beyond freezing point (0℃)
● Soaked in bleach ○ Specially formulated to withstand
● Rinse out temp down to -190℃
● Several tube designs
○ Specimen tubes and test tubes
■ Seen in the laboratory as
well as pipet tips
○ Microwavable containers and folders

F. POLYETHYLENE
● Disadvantage
○ NOT suitable when using picric acid,
stains, dyes, and proteins
■ Example:
● Usual plastic
containers used to
store kare-kare
contain
polyethylene since it
is stained
➔ Most of the polystyrene plastics that can be ■ It absorbs different dyes
seen in the laboratory have a cover ○ Uses:
● Disadvantage: ■ Test tubes
○ Not resistant to most hydrocarbons, ■ Bottles
ketones, and ROH (alcohol) ■ Graduated tubes
■ Thus, not utilized as storage ■ Stoppers
● Uses: ■ Plastic balls (toys)
○ Capped graduated tubes and test ■ Plastic wraps
tubes ■ Insulators
○ Can be used as a container - short ➔ Can be stored with distill and other types of
time fluids as long as they are not strong bases,
○ Ex: styrofoam acidic, stains, proteins, and dyes

E. POLYPROPYLENE G. POLYCARBONATE
● Primary constituent of pipet tips ➔ Made of carbonate
○ Pipet tips transfer fluids and ● Characteristics:
measure samples as well as ○ Very strong plastic BUT NOT
reagents chemically resistant
○ Autoclavable but with limitations
● Usable temp. range:

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

○ -100℃ to +160℃ C. BOROSILICATE

■ Melts when it passes its ● Most common type of glass encountered in
limitation or range volume measurements
● Uses: ● Composition:
○ Tubes for centrifugation ○ 80% silica
■ Has conical shape; not flat ○ 13% boric oxide - contains BORON
● This is to distinguish ○ 4% sodium oxide
from other normal ○ 2-3% aluminum oxide
tubes ● Characteristics:
● Fat, clear, hard, and ○ High degree of thermal resistance
conical and low coefficient of thermal
○ Graduated cylinders expansion
○ Flasks ■ Molecules expand when
○ Roofs of waiting sheds exposed to heat; however,
since borosilicate is resistant
H. TEFLON to heat, it will not expand
● Characteristics: immediately
○ Almost (most) chemically-inert - ■ Object has the ability to
unable to react to chemicals change its shape at a given
○ Chemical-resistant temperature
● Suitable work temp: ■ Change is minimal
○ -270℃ to 255℃
● Uses: ● Strained point
○ Stirring rods ○ Measurement of the temperature of
○ Tubing when it can reach to its certain point
○ Cryogenic vials thermally
○ Bottle cap liners ○ 220℃
● Used for storage or mixing equipment ■ Can be heated up to 220℃
● Non-stick pans for cooking and Teflon tapes but when it exceeds the
utilized in water lines at home strained point, it will break
○ Can withstand direct flame
○ Low alkali content
➔ There are things that should be used with ■ Resistant to alkali corrosion
plastics and there are things that should be ○ Free of heavy metals
used with glass ■ Free from Mg-lime zinc group
j of elements, heavy metals,
III. GLASSWARE arsenic, and antimony
● Can process strong
A. ADVANTAGES OF GLASSWARE acids, bases, and
● (Some) heating oxidants without
○ High temperatures, even on low altering them since
temperatures, plastics (esp. cheap it has no heavy
ones) cannot be heated directly. metals that may
● Longer storage of some chemicals alter the integrity of
the chemicals
● Uses:
○ Heating
■ Open flame or electric
heating elements such as
hotplates
● Precautions:
○ Storing concentrated alkali solutions
➔ National Institure of Science and Technology will etch/destroy the calibration
(NIST) uses the Class A glasswares - high ○ Heavy-walled type of glass should not
quality, especially when used in the laboratory be heated with direct flame or hotplate
■ Only the thin-walled type of
B. GENERAL CATEGORIES OF GLASS borosilicate glassware will be
1. Borosilicate (Kimax/ Pyrex) heated in direct flame or
2. High silica Glass hotplate
3. Aluminosilicate (Corex) ● The thicker it is, the
4. Acid & Alkali resistant (Vycor) easier it breaks
5. Low actinic (amber-colored) ○ Avoid heating beyond strained point
6. Flint glass (soda lime) ● Popular Brands:
7. Disposable glassware ○ Pyrex®

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

■ Strain point: 515°Celsius ○ Characteristics:

(Henry) ■ Radiation-resistant
○ KIMAX® ■ 6X stronger than borosilicate
■ Strain point: 513°C (outlast conventional
● Both KIMAX and glassware by 10-fold)
Pyrex manufacture ■ Resist clouding and
beaker, erlenmeyer scratching better
flask, and test tubes ○ Uses:
depending on the ■ High-precision analytical
size. work
● Can be reheated ■ Optical reflectors and mirrors
through open ■ Not used as a general type of
flames, but be glassware in the lab.
mindful of the ● Example: Screen of
strained point. iPhone

D. HIGH SILICA GLASS F. ACID-RESISTANT & ALKALI-RESISTANT

● Silica fused to quartz GLASS
○ Same with borosilicate glass, still ● Boron-free
made with boron trioxide, but the silica ● A.k.a “soft glass”
content is now fused with quartz. ● Brand: Vycor® (No. 7900)
● More expensive than borosilicate glass ○ Made up of fused silica
● Use: ○ 2 in 1 characteristic
○ Spectrophotometer cuvettes ■ Heat-resistant (not as
■ In clinical chemistry, efficient as borosilicate glass)
Spectrophotometer cuvettes ■ Chemically inert (a
are like little test tubes but in substance not chemically
a box form. reactive)
■ The patient's samples are ○ Unique characteristics:
pipetted in cuvettes as well ■ Stable to all acids except
as the reagents. That’s when hydrofluoric types
the sample and reagent ● Hydrofluoric
reacts, and where the solutions corrode
machine starts reading the glasses with silica
sample and result. ■ Superior in resisting
■ Now, there are already corrosion by alkali than
semi-disposable cuvettes borosilicate glass
composed of 50% plastic and ■ Unlikely contamination by
50% glass. contact with solutions
■ Relatively inert to acids and
E. ALUMINA-SILICATE GLASS neutral salts
● A.k.a Aluminosilicate glass ■ Chlorine and acid gases do
● With aluminum oxide not affect it at any
● Strengthened chemically rather than thermally temperature
○ Can withstand very strong acids, ○ Withstand high temperature (1200°C)
bases hydrocarbons, and ■ Softening temp.: 1500 °C
concentrated alcohols. ○ Withstand downshocks from this
○ Greater chemical durability and can temperature to ice water.
withstand higher operating ○ Use:
temperatures. ■ Ashing and ignition
○ Compared to borosilicate, techniques
aluminosilicates are more difficult to ● It is called acid &
fabricate. alkali resistant
● Has a wide thermal range but not as wide as glass, because
borosilicate glass. aside from its high
● When coated with an electrically conductive thermal resistance,
film, aluminosilicate glass is used as a resistor it is used in the
for electronic circuitry. laboratory when
● High impact, extremely strong glass there is a need of
○ Common use: manufacture of ignition wherein it
calibrated centrifuge tubes needs to be heated
○ Usually used by engineers and at high temperature
manufacturers when they calibrate to low temperature
tubes for centrifugation. at the same time.
● Corex® (Corning, N.Y.)

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

G. LOW ACTINIC GLASS experiments where such precisions

● Contain materials that usually impart amber to are necessary.
red color to the glass. ● Generally used for titration purposes only.
○ Reduces the amount of light
transmitted to the substance in the C. VOLUMETRIC FLASK
glassware disallowing oxidation. ● Round lower portion and a long, thin neck with
● Common uses: an etched neck or calibration line which is
○ For light-sensitive substances going to be the mark in measuring a specific
■ Bilirubin volume.
■ Vit. A ○ Much more accurate than a graduated
○ Store control materials and reagents cylinder.
● Generally used for:
H. SODA-LIME GLASS ○ Preparation of standard solution
● A.k.a flint glass ○ Measuring liquid volume accurately.
● Composition:
○ Silicon oxide D. PIPETS
■ Soda = sodium oxide ● Glass or plastic material in the lab used to
■ Lime = calcium oxide transfer liquids.
● Most inexpensive glass ● Can either be reusable or disposable
○ Most common type of glass found ● Majority of pipette can hold only up to 20 mL of
outside the laboratory (bowls, wine a specific solution.
glass, etc.) ● Used to transfer measured volumes of liquid
● Readily made into variety of types of glassware between containers.
● Has a high expansion coefficient and a high
degree of thermal resistance
○ At a given temperature, it will exhibit
huge structural change.
● Mineral can be leached from the glass into the
stored solutions
● Common uses:
○ Volumetric flasks (can’t withstand
strong acid and bases)
○ Stirring rods
○ Single-use pipette or test tubes

IV. MEASURING VESSELS

a. Graduated cylinder
b. Burets
c. Volumetric flask
d. Pipet
Note:
A. GRADUATED CYLINDER ● Example (pic above): you have 5 in 1/10 which
● Long, cylindrical tubes are usually held upright means that the capacity of the pipet in
by an octagonal or circular base with measuring a particular volume is only up to 5
gradations along its length. mL with 10 increments to the next demarcation
● Semi-accurate line.
● Extremely convenient for rapid measurement of ● In order to properly measure a specific volume
liquid. of a particular solution, you have to look for the
● Should NEVER be heated especially if plastic meniscus of the aspirated fluid where it should
since it will destroy the calibration marks along be aligned to the graduation line of your pipet.
its body. ● Use the lower meniscus if the fluid is clear and
non-viscous (ex: when the fluid/solution is
B. BURETS watery)
● Long cylindrical graduated laboratory ● In the manual pipet in the laboratory, it has a
glassware with stopcock. mark on the upper portion (head) of the pipet,
● Type of buret used depends on the chemical for example, on the 5 mL marking, it will
used. represent the total volume.
○ Glass >> ACID .
○ Rubber for >> ALKALI V. CLEANING OF PLASTIC/GLASSWARE
● Extremely accurate in dispensing aliquots of a ➔ Take note: determine whether the plasticware
solution. or glassware is disposable or not.
○ Will dispense in drops ◆ If disposable - single-use
○ Mainly used to dispense known ● Most plastics are disposable
amounts of liquid reagents in

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

● There are also glasswares ● A.k.a. “Rinsed-out pipets”

that are single-use
◆ If not disposable - can be used again
● Those in direct contact with biohazard material
are usually disposable
○ Biohazard material such as samples,
be in the form of stool, urine, or blood
must be disposed of after use
■ Regardless if it's made of
plastic or glass
○ Advantage of plastic = since it’s very
cheap, they are often in disposable
form
○ Unlike glass, they tend to be much
more expensive = reusable form
● If not disposable, follow proper
decontamination protocol
○ Immediate rinsing + washing with
powder/liquid detergent
■ 10% bleach can also be used
■ Autoclave
■ Wash intensely to remove
the remaining detergent
(which can be a contaminant)
if you are going to reuse that
particular lab equipment
○ Pre-soaking in soapy water
■ May contain bleach (usually
small amount) mainly for
contamination purposes
○ (read furthermore Bishop Chapter 1)
○ For reusable lab equipment, it must
also be rinsed properly
■ Perform multiple rinsing to
ensure that there are no
remnants of detergent left =
Remnants may act as
contaminants
○ One way of determining proper rinsing
of lab equipment, you have to check
the water used in the last rinse
○ Check the pH twice before rinsing and
after rinsing
○ If after rinsing and pH is higher, we
can determine that the detergents
were removed (Detergents make the
solution more alkaline)
■ Higher pH of water after
rinsing compared to pH
before it was rinsed, means
that the detergents are
removed
VI. PIPET CLASSIFICATION
● Able to hold a particular volume but is unable to
dispense
the volume indicated.
● For u to dispense the exact volume, Must be refilled
and
rinsed-out with the appropriate solvent after the initial
liquid has been drained from the pipet
● Examples:
○ Sahli-hemoglobin pipets
○ Long-Levy pipets
2.) To Deliver (TD)
● Able to transfer the exact volume indicated in the
pipette
● Designed to drain by gravity
● Must be held vertically with the tip placed against the
side of the container and must NOT TOUCH the liquid in
it
● Vessel ang nakatilt
● Examples:
○ Mohr pipet
○ Serologic pipet
○ volumetric transfer pipet
NOTE:
● A TC pipet holds or contains a particular volume but
does
not dispense that exact volume, whereas a TD pipet will
dispense the volume indicated.
B. DRAINAGE CHARACTERISTICS
1.) Self-draining pipet
● with a single painted at the top
● Allow to drain by gravity
● No frost/ etched / double lines

A. Design = TC vs. TD (to contain or to deliver)

B. Drainage characteristics = Blow-out vs.
Self-draining
C. Type = Measuring vs. transfer

A. DESIGN

1.) To Contain (TC)

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

C. TYPE
2.) Blown-out pipet
1. Transfer pipet (or volumetric)
a. Volumetric
b. Ostwald-Folin
c. Pasteur
d. Automatic macro- & micropipet

● Used to measure and transfer a predetermined

volume of liquid
● “Kaya niya ma dispense or ma measure na
volume of a particular solution is only one
volume”
● “If it is indicated that it is able to measure 10
mL, therefore 10 mL lang jud ang pwede niya i
measure kay isa lang iyang etched line”
● Dispense one volume without further
subdivisions
○ Ostwald-Folin Pipet
○ Pasteur Pipet

● With double rings/ frost/ etched

● designed to be "blown out" by pushing a small amount
of
air out of the pipet, completely emptying it
● For you to deliver the exact amount of the volume
specified by the pipette, it has to be blown out with the
use of a bulb.

TOP portions of self-draining & blown-out pipet

Single colored line = self-draining
● Allow it to drain by gravity
Double ring or frosted/ etched ring= blown out pipet
● To deliver the exact amount of solution u have
measured, Left: volumetric (transfer) Right: ostwald-folin
you have to introduce air to empty the pipet.
The volumetric pipets are always SELF-DRAINING
Ostwald-Folin pipets are BLOWOUT PIPETS
● Volumetric – to transfer aqueous solutions
● Ostwald-Folin – to transfer viscous fluid

DIFFERENCE VOLUMETRIC OSTWALD-FOLIN

Drainage self-draining blowout pipette

characteristics

Top portion have single ring double/frosted/

etched ring

TIP portions of self-draining & blown-out pipet

Left: self-draining
● Graduation is much farther from the tip.
Right: Blown out pipet
● Graduation is up to the tip of the pipet.

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

2. Measuring or Graduated pipet Micropipet

a. Serologic ● With a total holding volume of less than 1 mL
b. Mohr ● It may be designed as either a Mohr or serologic pipet
c. Micropipet ● Comes in 2 forms:
○ Automatic and Semi-automatic pipet
● Calibrated to distribute fractional quantity of ■ Commonly used in the laboratory
liquid and principally used for measurement of
reagents 2 Types of micropipet:
● The volume that it can measure is not fixed but
rather measure different volumes of a particular 1. Air displacement
solution ● Disposable, polypropylene tip

Examples: 2. Positive displacement

a. Mohr pipet ● Use of capillary tip (siliconized, glass, plastic)
● No graduations to the tip
● Self-draining pipet
● Single ring

b. Serologic pipet
● Has graduation marks to the tip
● Generally a blowout pipet
● Designated by a frosted or double
colored ring at the top

1. Air displacement method (left)

- It is going to rely on a piston for creating a
suction to draw the sample into a disposable tip
that must be changed after each use
- The piston does not come in contact with the
liquid but there will be unprotected air space so
there could be a possible aerosol
contamination of the sample or the reagents
that is going to be aspirated
- Can ensure that there will be no carry over
since u are going to replace the tip
- However, it going to be less accurate compared
to positive displacement pipet

2. Positive displacement method (right)

- Going to operate by moving a piston in the
pipet tip or barrel
- The piston is in the form of a plunger in which it
is going to be changed once u are going to
dispense one liquid after another
- Advantage of piston:
- There will be protected air space
- No aerosol
- Problem: Since you are not going to change
the
tip, there will be a carry over of samples or
regents to another type of solution

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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 MLS 414 - CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 (LAB)
P1.1. GLASSWARES, PLASTICWARES, AND MEASURING VESSELS
Prof. Kristine Faye Dimalaluan | January 18, 2023

VII. SEMI-AUTOMATIC & AUTOMATIC PIPETTES

AND DISPENSERS

● Semi-automatic pipettes
○ Although it allows us to have an
easier
measurement of volumes of samples
and reagents, but the aspiration and
dispensing of such liquids can still be
done manually

● Automatic pipettes
○ It is attached to a machine and a
tube is going to be submerged to a
particular solution
○ The machine will be regulating the
aspiration as well as the dispensing of
a particular volume of a reagent ot
sample

● Dispensers (Dilutors)
○ Automatic pipettes that obtain the
liquid from a common reservoir and
dispense it repeatedly
○ May be bottle top, motorized,
handheld, or attached to a dilutor

Trans Maker: Loy, T.J., Malinao, I.M., Masukat, J.

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