Disposable Vacuum Filtration System Selection Guide | Membrane Solutions

Primarily used for large volume separation and purification of biological fluids, cell culture media, buffer solutions, and more, Disposable Vacuum Filtration Units are deemed essential to various procedures and R&D of microbiological and biological laboratories. These filtration units are fundamental in collecting particulates such as bacteria and precipitates from liquid suspensions, offering rapid clarification and sterilization for a more streamlined filtration process. Disposable vacuum filtration units often come with a membrane filter, a transparent/clear funnel, and a receiving bottle where samples can be directly stored. 

Given a plethora of vacuum filtration options available online, choosing the ideal unit for your application can be challenging. To make things easier and help you save time, we’ve listed down below three important factors to take note of when looking for the best disposable filtration unit for your specific needs.

3 Key Factors to Consider When Buying Disposable Vacuum Filtration Units

1.  Filter Material

Ensure you get a disposable vacuum filtration unit that has the right filter material compatible with the samples you’ll be working with. If your samples contain protein substances, opt for a membrane filter that offers low protein adsorption to secure your sample’s composition. If you are working with viscous samples, go for large filter membranes with high flow rates as these would allow your samples to smoothly pass through the membranes.

Membrane Solutions showcases disposable vacuum filtration systems available with different membrane filter types including:

• Polyethersulfone (PES) - high flow rate (with large pores in the upper layer and small pores in the lower layer), low protein adsorption. For applications including cell culture and tissue media, buffer salt concentrations, and protein solutions
• Surfactant-free cellulose acetate (SFCA) - moderate flow rate, very low protein adsorption
• Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) - low flow rate, very low protein adsorption
• Nylon (NY) - moderate flow rate, high protein adsorption. For applications including alcohols, buffered saline solutions 
• Cellulose Nitrate (CN) - medium flow rate, high protein adsorption. For applications including buffered salt solutions 
• Glass Fiber (GF) - very high flow rate, high protein adsorption, high particle retention capacity. For applications including pre-filtration, increased flux, and impurity-rich solutions 

2. Membrane Filter Pore Size

To achieve optimum filtration efficiency, purchase vacuum filters with membranes that have the right pore size for your application.

• Sterile filtration of liquids - 0.22 µm membrane
• Mycoplasma removal from liquids - 0.1 µm membrane
• Liquid clarification  - 0.45 µm membrane 

3. Volume Capacity

If you are filtering samples less than 300ml, consider buying a unit with a 250 ml bottle-top filter. For sample volumes ranging between 300 ml and 1000 ml, select vacuum filters with a 500 ml upper filter cup or a 500/1000 ml lower filter cup.

Membrane Solutions carries vacuum filtration units in 250 ml, 500 ml, and 1000 ml volume capacities. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective unit available, we recommend our 500 ml disposable vacuum filter that comes with a 64cm² membrane area, considerably larger than other brands in the market.

The Membrane Solutions Advantage: Product Quality and Performance

For reliable, efficient, and convenient sterile filtration no matter what application, choose only MS Vacufil^TM Disposable Vacuum Filtration Units. These high quality autonomous filtration systems are designed with a graduated polystyrene (PS) transparent filter funnel (bottle top filter), a reservoir bottle, and a port to effectively sterilize and remove impurities from large volumes of biological liquids. We carry units complete with microporous membranes in different materials and pore sizes to meet requirements of various liquid samples. 

MS Vacufil^TM features include:

• High flow rates and throughput
• Low protein binding and extractables
• Gamma irradiation sterilization
• Sterilizing-grade PES membranes are available
• Non-pyrogenic and surfactant-free
• Lightweight with a solid structure
• Reservoir bottles feature textured areas for improved grip when handling and opening the bottle
• Wide bottle mouth offers easy access for efficient and stable pour out
• Hose connector can accommodate multiple hose diameters 

High Flow Rate and Low Protein Adsorption

MS Disposable Vacuum Filtration Units offer higher flow rates and lower protein binding and extractables compared to other brands. See figure below showing flow rate and protein binding of MS 500 mL Vacuum Cups.

If you are looking for cost-effective and reliable vacuum filter systems to improve your lab workflow and experiments, go with MS Vacufil^TM Disposable Vacuum Filter Units. Our vacuum filters bring in quality and efficient performance no matter what samples you are working with. Order the vacuum filtration unit your application exactly needs here: https://www.membrane-solutions.com/Disposable_vacuum_unit.htm