Compact Benchtop Centrifuge Provides Versatility

An all-purpose adaptable centrifuge that fits on the bench is being introduced for general research use and clinical sample preparation.

The compact, 45.7-cm-wide instrument, is now available individually or packaged with the appropriate rotors and laboratory ware to provide high-level performance in a range of applications.

The medium capacity Allegra X-30 Series Benchtop Centrifuge offers with its newest swinging-bucket rotor, and 15 mL and 50 mL conical tube adapters to comprise a cell culture-application package. Blood sample processing and microplate application packages also provide everything needed, centrifuge, rotor, and adapters. Centrifuge packages are given a single part number, greatly increasing user convenience. Additionally, two new rotors are available in conjunction with the Allegra X-30 instruments: the SX4400, a 1.6-liter swinging-bucket rotor and the S6096 microplate rotor that accommodates 3 × 2 microplates or 2 × 1 deep-well plates.

The Allegra X-30 instrument (Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA) provides the highest performance specifications in the centrifuge’s class: 18,000 rpm and 30,000 × g for the fixed-angle rotor, and 4,700 rpm and 2,721 × g for the microplate rotor. The swinging-bucket rotor’s maximum speed is 4,700 rpm, with relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 4,255 × g. In total, the Allegra X-30 accepts 13 different rotors and a range of laboratory accessories to accommodate a variety of samples and run conditions. A refrigerated version of the centrifuge, the X-30R, can be cooled from room temperature down to 4 °C in less than 10 minutes. BioCertified, clear, self-containing bucket covers for the SX 4400 swinging-bucket rotor enhance biosafety by enabling users to see any broken tubes.

Patrick O’Donnell, strategic marketing manager for Beckman Coulter Centrifugation, said, "The combination of performance, capacity, rotor selection and application packages offers both great flexibility and superior sample preparation to help advance basic research. We’re pleased to bring these user- and sample-friendly, class-leading instruments to the laboratory.” The centrifuge was showcased July 26-28, 2011, at the Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry held in Atlanta (GA, USA).

Related Links:
Beckman Coulter