Disposable Inoculating Loops/Needle
SDLABIO Disposable inoculating loops and needles are essential microbiology tools used to transfer, streak, and isolate microorganisms on agar plates, or to inoculate liquid media. Manufactured from high-quality plastic, these tools ensure precision and sterility during microbial culture.
Inoculation Loop For Sale: 1µL/10µL.
MOQ: 1 CARTON.
Disposable Inoculating Loops For Sale
| Cat No. | Specification | Package | Weight(KG) | Size(CM) |
| JZH-1UL-1 | 1ul, individual pack | 1 pcs/bag, 5000 pcs/ctn | 12 | 44x32x44 |
| JZH-1UL-10 | 1ul, pack of 10 | 10 pcs/bag, 1000 bags/ctn | 16.5 | 43.5x31x43 |
| JZH-1UL-20 | 1ul, pack of 20 | 20 pcs/bag, 50 bags/inner box, 10 inner boxes/ctn | 14.8 | 82x27x32 |
| JZH-10UL-1 | 10ul, individual pack | 1 pcs/bag, 5000 pcs/ctn | 12 | 44x32x44 |
| JZH-10UL-10 | 10ul, pack of 10 | 10 pcs/bag, 1000 bags/ctn | 16.5 | 43.5x31x43 |
| JZH-10UL-20 | 10ul, pack of 20 | 20 pcs/bag, 50 bags/inner box, 10 inner boxes/ctn | 14.8 | 82x27x32 |
Feature Of Sterile Inoculating Loops
- Smooth and burr-free surface ensures uniform and fluent streak inoculation while preventing damage to agar media surfaces.
- Hexagonal handle with anti-slip notch design allows easier gripping and precise directional control for improved handling.
- Multiple color options available for easy identification and laboratory management.
- Available in multiple specifications: 1μL and 10μL; both rigid and flexible inoculating loops are available.
- Material options:
- Inoculating loops: rigid type made of PS, flexible type made of HIPS.
- Inoculating loop with needle: rigid type made of AS, flexible type made of ABS.
- Flexible HIPS inoculating loops are ideal for sample collection and agar plate streaking, while PS/AS/ABS materials are suitable for single colony picking and stab inoculation.
- DNase-free, RNase-free, non-pyrogenic, and endotoxin-free, suitable for microbiology and molecular biology applications.
- Optional EO sterilization or E-beam sterilization available, with SAL 10⁻⁶ sterility assurance level.
- Available in individual sterile paper-plastic packaging or zipper bag packaging to meet different laboratory requirements.
FAQ of inoculation needle and loop
Inoculating needle vs inoculating loop
Inoculating Loop
- Shape: Has a small circular loop at the tip.
- Main Use: Designed for streaking microorganisms across the surface of an agar petri dish to isolate single colonies.
- Volume Control: Available in calibrated sizes (commonly 1 µL or 10 µL) for accurate sample transfer.
- Surface Interaction: Gentle and minimizes damage to agar surfaces due to smooth rounded edges.
- Applications: Isolating colonies on agar plates. Transferring liquid samples in small volumes. Spreading cultures evenly.
Inoculating Needle
- Shape: Straight wire or plastic rod without a loop.
- Main Use: Designed for stabbing into agar or picking individual colonies.
- Volume Control: Not intended for precise liquid transfer like loops.
- Surface Interaction: Penetrates agar media, useful for deep inoculation.
- Applications: Stab inoculation (e.g., motility testing, anaerobic culture growth). Picking colonies from agar plates. Transferring microorganisms into deep media or slants.
Key Difference
- Inoculation loop = spreading/streaking on the surface
- Inoculating needles = stabbing/picking into the medium
In microbiology labs, both tools are complementary: loops are preferred for streaking and surface inoculation, while needles are indispensable for colony picking and specialized inoculation methods.
How is air contamination prevented when inoculating loop?
When using inoculation loops, air contamination is a common concern in microbiology, but several techniques are used to prevent it:
Sterilization of the Loop
The inoculating loop is sterilized before and after use, typically by flaming it in a Bunsen burner or using an electric sterilizer.
This ensures any airborne microbes that may have landed on the loop are destroyed.
Working Near a Flame or in a Biosafety Cabinet
Performing inoculation close to a Bunsen burner flame creates an updraft of air, reducing the chance of airborne contaminants settling on the loop or media.
Alternatively, in modern labs, inoculations are often performed inside a laminar flow hood or biosafety cabinet, where filtered air minimizes contamination.
Proper Handling Technique
Keep culture tubes or Petri dish lids partially closed and only open them briefly.
Avoid waving the loop in the air after sterilization—allow it to cool near the flame or sterile area before contacting the culture.
Do not place the loop on the bench or expose it unnecessarily to the environment.
Aseptic Practices
Wash hands and disinfect the workspace before inoculation.
Minimize talking, coughing, or unnecessary movements around the sterile area.
How to choose an inoculation loop?
When selecting an inoculating loop, you should consider the following factors:
1. Based on Experimental Needs
- Streaking and isolation: Use an inoculating loop microbiology, ideal for streaking on solid media to isolate single colonies.
- Stabbing or picking individual colonies: Use an inoculating needle, which provides more precision.
2. Based on Material
- Metal inoculation loops (reusable)
- Durable and can be sterilized repeatedly by flame or autoclave.
- Suitable for labs with sterilization facilities and looking for a cost-effective option.
- Sterile disposable inoculating loops (plastic inoculation loop)
- Convenient and contamination-free, ready to use straight from the package.
- Ideal for high-throughput experiments or labs without easy access to sterilization equipment.
3. Based on Capacity
- 1ul inoculating loops
- Best for transferring very small, precise amounts of culture, often for colony counting.
- 10ul inoculating loops
- Suitable for transferring larger sample volumes for routine inoculations and culture expansion.
What is an inoculating loop?
An inoculating loop is a simple yet essential laboratory tool used primarily in microbiology to transfer and inoculate microorganisms from one growth medium to another. By utilizing surface tension, the loop is able to hold a precise, small amount of microbial culture, allowing researchers to perform tasks such as culture transfer, colony isolation, and streaking on agar plates under aseptic conditions.
Comparison between metal and plastic inoculating loops
In microbiology laboratories, bacterial culture, and sample inoculation procedures, inoculating loops are essential tools. The two most common types are metal and plastic materials. Each type has its own advantages in terms of material, sterilization method, usability, and application.
1. Material Differences
- Metal Inoculation Loops: Usually made of nichrome wire, stainless steel, or platinum wire, offering excellent heat resistance and reusability.
- Plastic Inoculation Loops: Commonly made from medical-grade PS, HIPS, ABS, or AS materials and are typically designed for single use.
2. Sterilization Methods
- Metal: Require flame sterilization using an alcohol lamp or Bunsen burner before and after use.
- Plastic: Usually supplied pre-sterilized by EO gas or E-beam sterilization and are ready to use directly from the package.
3. Ease of Use
- Metal Material
- Reusable and cost-effective over long-term use
- Require repeated flaming and cooling
- More time-consuming during operation
- Plastic Material
- Ready-to-use and highly convenient
- No flame sterilization required
- Ideal for high-throughput laboratories and flame-free environments
4. Cross-Contamination Risk
- Metal: Incomplete sterilization may lead to cross-contamination.
- Plastic: Disposable design significantly reduces contamination risks.
5. Safety Comparison
- Metal: Require open flame sterilization, which may pose burn or fire hazards.
- Plastic: Flame-free operation improves laboratory safety and is suitable for biosafety environments.
6. Cost Comparison
- Metal: Higher initial investment but reusable for long periods.
- Plastic: Lower per-unit cost but intended for single use.
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