MUHWA 2.5mL Semi-Micro Polystyrene Cuvettes — Economical Visible-Range Spectroscopy, 100-Pack
MUHWA 2.5mL semi-micro polystyrene cuvettes deliver reliable, cost-effective performance for routine visible-range spectrophotometry, colorimetry, and turbidimetry. Each cuvette features two polished optical sides for consistent light transmission across the 340–900 nm range, while the round opening ensures compatibility with standard spectrophotometer sample holders. The semi-micro 2.5mL volume reduces sample consumption compared to standard 3.5mL cuvettes — ideal for precious, limited, or expensive samples. Manufactured from optical-grade polystyrene (PS), these disposable cuvettes eliminate the time, solvent, and contamination risks associated with washing reusable quartz or glass cells. The bulk 100-piece pack provides exceptional economy for teaching laboratories, quality control workflows, and high-throughput routine analysis where single-use convenience is paramount.
Key Features
- 2.5mL Semi-Micro Volume — 30% lower sample requirement than standard 3.5mL cuvettes. Conserves precious samples, expensive reagents, and limited-volume clinical specimens without sacrificing optical path length.
- 2 Polished Optical Sides — Precision-polished transmission windows on opposing faces ensure consistent, reproducible absorbance readings. Frosted side walls provide a convenient gripping surface without affecting the light path.
- Optical-Grade Polystyrene (PS) — Excellent clarity in the visible spectrum (340–900 nm). Ideal for Bradford, BCA, Lowry protein assays; cell density measurements (OD600); enzyme kinetics at visible wavelengths; and colorimetric analysis.
- Round Opening Design — Universally compatible with standard 10 mm path length cuvette holders on spectrophotometers from major manufacturers (Thermo, Beckman, Shimadzu, Bio-Rad, Hitachi, etc.).
- Disposable Single-Use — Eliminates cross-contamination risk between samples. No washing, no detergent residue, no carryover — fresh cuvette for every measurement.
- Bulk 100-Piece Pack — Economical format for high-throughput labs, teaching practicals, and QC workflows. Per-cuvette cost is a fraction of reusable quartz or glass alternatives.
- Consistent Manufacturing — Tight optical path length tolerance (±0.1 mm) ensures cuvette-to-cuvette reproducibility for batch measurements and standard curve generation.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Volume | 2.5 mL (semi-micro) |
| Optical Path Length | 10 mm (standard) |
| Material | Optical-grade polystyrene (PS) |
| Optical Sides | 2 clear (polished) + 2 frosted (grip) |
| Wavelength Range | 340–900 nm (visible) |
| Transmission at 500 nm | >80% |
| Opening Style | Round (funnel-top) |
| External Dimensions (W × D × H) | ~12.5 × 12.5 × 45 mm |
| Pack Size | 100 cuvettes |
| Sterility | Non-sterile |
Compatible Instruments
These standard 10 mm path length cuvettes fit most visible-range spectrophotometers and colorimeters, including:
- Thermo Scientific GENESYS, Evolution, and NanoDrop One/OneC (cuvette mode)
- Beckman Coulter DU series
- Shimadzu UV-Vis series (visible mode)
- Bio-Rad SmartSpec, BioPhotometer
- Hitachi U-2900/2910
- Jenway, Hach, and other benchtop spectrophotometers
- Educational spectrophotometers (Vernier, PASCO, etc.)
Applications
- Protein Quantification — Bradford, BCA, Lowry, and Biuret assays at 595 nm, 562 nm, and 540 nm respectively. Disposable format eliminates protein carryover between samples.
- Bacterial Cell Density (OD600) — Routine optical density measurements at 600 nm for monitoring bacterial growth curves, determining mid-log phase, and standardizing inoculum concentrations.
- Enzyme Kinetics — Visible-range kinetic assays (β-galactosidase at 420 nm, peroxidase at 450 nm, alkaline phosphatase at 405 nm). Fresh cuvette for each reaction eliminates enzyme contamination.
- Colorimetric Water Analysis — Nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia, chlorine, and heavy metal colorimetric assays using standard methods.
- Teaching Laboratories — Economical bulk pack enables each student to use fresh cuvettes for every experiment. Eliminates cuvette-washing bottlenecks during practical sessions.
- Quality Control (QC) — Routine absorbance verification, dye concentration checks, and product release testing in pharmaceutical, food, and chemical manufacturing QC labs.
- Clinical Chemistry — Compatible with manual colorimetric clinical assays (glucose, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol) where disposable cuvettes are preferred for infection control.
Polystyrene vs. Glass vs. Quartz — Cuvette Selection Guide
| Property | PS (this product) | Optical Glass | Quartz |
|---|
| Wavelength Range | 340–900 nm | 340–2500 nm | 190–2500 nm |
| UV Compatible | No | Limited (>320 nm) | Yes (190 nm+) |
| Reusability | Disposable | Reusable | Reusable |
| Cost per Unit | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Chemical Resistance | Limited (avoid organics) | Good | Excellent |
| Best For | Routine visible assays, teaching, high-throughput QC | General lab work, UV-Vis balance | UV work, precise photometry, harsh chemicals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can these cuvettes be used for UV measurements (e.g., DNA at 260 nm / protein at 280 nm)?
A: No. Polystyrene absorbs strongly below 340 nm, making it unsuitable for UV quantification. For nucleic acid and protein UV analysis (A260/A280), use UV-transparent disposable cuvettes, quartz cuvettes, or a NanoDrop/μDrop system. These PS cuvettes are designed for visible-range applications only.
Q: Are these cuvettes reusable?
A: They are designed and priced as disposables. While they can be rinsed with water or buffer for same-solvent reuse in a single session, we do not recommend washing with detergents or organic solvents, as polystyrene can craze, cloud, or deform. For reusable applications, consider glass or quartz cuvettes.
Q: What organic solvents are compatible?
A: Polystyrene has limited chemical resistance. Avoid acetone, chloroform, aromatic hydrocarbons, and strong acids/bases — they will attack, cloud, or dissolve the cuvette. Aqueous buffers, dilute alcohols (<20% ethanol), and saline solutions are safe. If your assay requires organic solvents, use glass or quartz cuvettes.
Q: How do I orient the cuvette in the spectrophotometer?
A: The clear (polished) sides must face the light path for accurate readings. The frosted sides are for gripping and should face perpendicular to the beam. Most spectrophotometer holders have alignment guides — ensure the clear window aligns with the light source and detector.
Q: What is the fill volume for a 2.5mL cuvette?
A: The minimum fill volume is approximately 1.0–1.5 mL to ensure the light beam passes through the sample (not air). The maximum working volume is 2.5 mL. For best results, fill to 2.0–2.5 mL to ensure the beam is fully immersed in the sample.
