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Labware Products

Inoculating Loop and Needles

Inoculating Loop & Needles are single-use tools for transferring microbial cultures, cell lines, or biological samples between growth media or containers. They are available in 1 µm and 10 µm tip diameters, made from PS or ABS, and supplied in sterile or non-sterile formats. The design allows for consistent sample pickup and transfer without cross-contamination, making them suitable for routine microbiology, cell culture, and environmental testing workflows.

Available in 1 µm and 10 µm tip diameters for precise sample handling across different viscosity and cell size ranges
Made from PS or ABS, materials suitable for non-sterile and sterile applications without leaching into samples
Sterile versions (IL0001S, IL0010S) eliminate the need for in-house sterilisation, reducing contamination risk
Non-sterile versions (IL0001N, IL0010N) offer cost savings for non-sterile workflows

Key Benefits

What This Product Gives You

Available in 1 µm and 10 µm tip diameters for precise sample handling across different viscosity and cell size ranges
Made from PS or ABS, materials suitable for non-sterile and sterile applications without leaching into samples
Sterile versions (IL0001S, IL0010S) eliminate the need for in-house sterilisation, reducing contamination risk
Non-sterile versions (IL0001N, IL0010N) offer cost savings for non-sterile workflows
1+10 configuration (IL1001N/S) provides a dual-tip design for both fine and larger sample transfer in one tool

Tip diameters: 1 µm and 10 µm for fine and bulk sample transfer
Sterile or non-sterile options available
1+10 configuration (1 µm and 10 µm on one tool) for dual-purpose use
Single-use design eliminates carry-over and reprocessing needs
Supplied in bulk packs for high-volume use

Where It Is Used

Applications And Buyers

Application Scenarios

Transferring bacterial cultures from agar plates to liquid media in microbiology labs
Inoculating cell lines into culture flasks or multi-well plates in life-science research
Environmental testing labs transferring soil or water samples to growth media
Routine quality control in pharmaceutical labs for microbial limit testing
High-throughput screening where consistent sample volume and transfer accuracy are required

Who It Is For

Microbiology laboratories performing routine culture transfers and microbial testing
Cell culture labs requiring consistent, low-cost inoculation tools
Environmental and food safety labs handling sample inoculation for pathogen detection
Contract testing labs that need a reliable, low-cost consumable for high-volume workflows
OEM partners seeking private-label inoculating loops with custom packaging

Problems It Solves

Cross-contamination from reusable loops due to incomplete cleaning or sterilisation
Inconsistent sample pickup caused by worn or deformed loop tips
High cost and time burden of cleaning and sterilising reusable inoculation tools
Difficulty in selecting the right tip size for different sample types (e.g. small cells vs. large colonies)
Lack of sterile availability for immediate use in sensitive cell culture or sterile testing applications

Data

Specifications

Tip Diameter	1 µm, 10 µm
Material	PS, ABS
Sterile	Yes or No
Configuration	1 µm, 10 µm, or 1+10
Packing	1000 pcs/pk, 10 pks/cs (non-sterile); 1 pc/pk, 500 pks/cs (sterile)
Part Number	IL0001N, IL0001S, IL0010N, IL0010S, IL1001N, IL1001S

Materials

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

Customization Options

OEM private-label printing available through the Microlab OEM division
Custom packaging configurations possible for bulk orders
Part number and configuration can be tailored for private-label supply

How It Is Made

Manufacturing And Quality Control

Manufacturing Process

Assembly of tip and shaft in the specified diameter
Sterilisation process for sterile variants (exact method not specified)
Packaging in bulk packs according to product variant
Labeling with part number and configuration details

Quality Control

Visual inspection of tip diameter and shaft integrity
Verification of material type against specification
Confirmation of sterile status for sterile variants
Packing accuracy checked against order specification

Comparison

Compared With The Alternatives

Versus Reusable metal inoculating loops

Single-use plastic loops eliminate cleaning, sterilisation, and carry-over risks, while reducing labor and contamination risk in high-throughput labs

Versus Standard plastic loops without dual tips

The 1+10 configuration allows one tool to handle both fine and larger sample transfers, reducing tool switching and workflow interruptions

Versus Non-sterile loops with no packaging control

Sterile versions come in sealed, traceable packaging to maintain sterility until use, critical for cell culture and sterile testing

Use Guide

How To Use It

Select 1 µm for small cells, spores, or fine microbial colonies
Select 10 µm for larger colonies, viscous samples, or bulk transfer
Use the 1+10 configuration when both fine and coarse transfers are needed in the same workflow
For sterile applications, open the package immediately before use and discard after one use
Avoid bending or twisting the loop tip to prevent breakage or inconsistent sample pickup
Store in a dry, clean environment to prevent contamination or material degradation

Photos

Product Gallery

Inoculating Loop and Needles product photo 7

Inoculating Loop and Needles product photo 8

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Labware Consumables Buying Guide

FAQ

Questions Buyers Ask

What is the difference between 1 µm and 10 µm inoculating loops?

The 1 µm tip is for small cells, spores, or fine microbial colonies. The 10 µm tip is for larger colonies, viscous samples, or bulk transfer.

Are the sterile loops pre-sterilised?

Yes. The sterile versions (IL0001S, IL0010S, IL1001S) are supplied in sealed packaging and are ready for immediate use in sterile workflows.

Can I use these loops for cell culture?

Yes. The PS and ABS materials are suitable for cell culture applications when used in sterile format and handled properly.

What is the 1+10 configuration?

The 1+10 configuration has a 1 µm tip on one end and a 10 µm tip on the other, allowing dual-purpose use without changing tools.

How are the loops packed?

Non-sterile loops: 1000 pcs per pack, 10 packs per case. Sterile loops: 1 pc per pack, 500 packs per case.

Can you supply these under our own brand?

Yes. The Microlab OEM division offers private-label printing and custom packaging for bulk orders.