PCV Packed Cell Volume Tube

The PCV tube enables a quick and reproducible measuring technique of the cell volume. This method is ideal for the monitoring of the tissue growth (cell mass).

If during a production process many parameters need to be optimized, many samples accumulate at the same time. Here a quick analysis with the PCV tube and the read-out process with „easy read“ is the method of the choice.

A short centrifugation step (1 minute at 2'500 gx) is sufficient to form a pellet in the calibrated capillary. There the pellet can be read with the “easy read” measuring device

Features of the PCV tube:

  • PCV tube with calibrated capillary, some available with volume graduation
  • Fits in micro-centrifuges
  • Caps available
Determination of cell number density is a routine task in almost every laboratory working with cell cultures. The most commonly used method is counting cells manually with the hemacytometer, which is very time-consuming, tedious and prone to errors (margin of error about 15 %).

The PCV-system provides a fast, easy to use, reproducible and more accurate alternative to manual cell counting. The PCV-tubes enable the determination of the packed cell volume (PCV) in a cell suspension, resulting in absolute data correlating with parameters like protein content, cell count, metabolic activity and others.

The PCV-tubes are particularly convenient to work with, requiring neither special training nor sophisticated expensive machines – in contrast to automated cell counting devices.

Good to know!

Calculation of cell density:

To determine the cell density from the biomass (PCV %) a calibration line must be established.

  1. Take a 2 ml sample from a well mixed cell suspension.
  2. Carry out a double determination for the PCV value (%) and for the cell density using the counting chamber (cell number/ml).
  3. The frequency of sampling and measurements performed depends on the growth rate (doubling time) of the cells.
  4. Enter the determined mean values in a table and create a diagram 
  5. Determine the linear equation based on the measured values 
  6. The cell density of a sample [cell number/ml] can be calculated from the determined straight line equatio

y = mx + b

m = Increase of the straight line
y = PCV [%]
x = Cell density [cell number/mL]
b = ordinate section 

 Cell density=(PCV-b)/m

Advices

  • With a very high density of the cells, the samples must not be diluted, simply reduce the sample volume. Samples from the same series should be treated accordingly. 
  • For bacteria measurement the parameters have to be adjusted, for example higher gx-force, smaller volume, etc.
  • Use a centrifuge with a swinging bucket rotor accommodating 1.5 | 2 ml centrifuge tubes. Alternatively, you can either place the PCV tubes in 15 ml conical bottom centrifuge tubes or run them in the appropriate rotor or you can apply a fixed angle rotor instead. 

Downloads

TypeProduct No.VersionVolume (ml)Dimensions
(mm)
MaterialQty / BagQty / CaseCase
(kg)
87005 with graduations, without cap 1 10.5 x 43 PS 50 250 0.6
87007 no graduations, without cap 1 10.5 x 43 PS 50 150 0.2
87008 cap for PCV tube - 13.5 PE 50 150 0.1

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