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Amicon® Ultrafiltration Devices

Concentrate your protein, don’t lose it. Recover protein reliably when you concentrate with Amicon® Ultra centrifugal filters. Amicon® ultrafiltration devices provide a fast, reliable method to concentrate proteins and other biomolecules, separate components in biological and environmental samples by molecular weight, and desalt and dialyze proteins and antibodies for sample preparation. We’ve engineered Amicon® Ultra filters with low-binding Ultracel® regenerated cellulose membranes to ensure more precise molecular weight cut-offs and high protein recovery (>90%). Plus, the vertical membrane provides ultra-fast spin times of 10-15 minutes.

Explore more resources and find out how to select the right Amicon® Ultra filter for your experiment in the sections below the table.

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Amicon® Ultra Centrifugal Filter Ultrafiltration Guide

Use these four tips to maximize your sample recovery when performing ultrafiltration with Amicon® Ultra centrifugal filter devices.

Choose the right membrane

A close-up view of a laboratory tube is shown, highlighting the liquid inside. An enlarged section on the right illustrates the separation of particles within the liquid, with arrows indicating movement or flow. The tube has a pink cap at the top.
For regenerated cellulose membrane, choose MWCO that is half the size of your target molecule.

    Place device in correct position

    Two laboratory tubes are depicted side by side. The left tube has a red "X" mark, indicating an incorrect position, while the right tube has a green checkmark, signifying the correct orientation. A circular component with multiple holes is shown in the background.
    Place the device into the centrifuge with one membrane panel parallel with the top of the centrifuge, and the other membrane towards the center of the centrifuge. The panels should not be perpendicular to the outer edge of the centrifuge.

      Consider sample sensitivity

      A laboratory centrifuge is illustrated, with its lid open, revealing a circular platform with multiple holes for test tubes. Two blue snowflakes are depicted on either side, suggesting a cold environment or refrigeration.
      Use refrigerated centrifuge for temperature sensitive samples.

        Prevent build-up of protein

        An illustration of a laboratory tube with a pink cap is shown. The tube features a blue mechanism that moves up and down, indicating the action of drawing in or dispensing liquid. A pink rectangular component is positioned next to the tube.
        Pipette the sample up and down to prevent protein polarization, which can lead to blocked concentration.

          How to Select an Amicon® Ultra Filter

          1. Determine the starting volume of your sample 
          2. Determine the molecular weight (MW) of your macromolecule of interest, then choose an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) that is 2-3 times smaller than the MW of your macromolecule.
          3. Select pack size 

          Amicon® Ultra Centrifugal Filter Devices

          Amicon® Ultra centrifugal filter devices provide fast ultrafiltration with high concentration factors from dilute and complex sample matrices. The vertical design and membrane surface area provide fast sample processing, high sample recovery, and the capability for up to 80-fold concentration factors.  

          Features

          • High (90-98%) recovery: Ultracel® regenerated cellulose membrane in a range of molecular weight cut-offs 
          • Quick processing times: Vertical membrane reduces concentration polarization and membrane fouling for ultra-fast spin times in as little as 10–15 minutes
          • Low non-specific binding: Heat-sealed membrane minimizes downstream extractables 
          • Convenient sample monitoring: translucent housing and volume gradations
          • Direct pipetter sample access eliminates processing step to recover concentrate 
          • Reverse spin capability provides consistent and maximum protein recoveries, even with small, dilute samples
          • Low sample loss: physical deadstop in the filter device prevents spinning to dryness and potential sample loss 
          • Broad chemical compatibility: compatible with a variety of aqueous solutions, pH 1 to 9
          • Consistent and reliable sample prep: predictable concentration factors, with no drying out of sample 
          • Rapid protein concentration: 25- to 80-fold concentration in a single step

          Amicon® Ultra centrifugal devices are offered with nominal molecular weight limits (NMWLs) of 3 kDa, 10 kDa, 30 kDa, 50 kDa, and 100 kDa in four different volumes: 

          • Amicon® Ultra 0.5 mL Centrifugal Filters
          • Amicon® Ultra 2 mL Centrifugal Filters 
          • Amicon® Ultra 4 mL Centrifugal Filters
          • Amicon® Ultra 15 mL Centrifugal Filters 

          Applications

          • Concentration of biological samples containing antigens, antibodies, enzymes, nucleic acids, or microorganisms
          • Purification of macromolecular components found in tissue culture extracts or cell lysates and protein removal prior to HPLC
          • Concentration of dilute or pre-purified proteins from column eluents
          • Optimize lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations by maintaining lipid properties after concentration
          • Virus concentration and diafiltration
          • Urine protein concentration prior to clinical laboratory analyses
          • Desalting, buffer exchange and protein dialysis
          • Size exclusion and protein fractionation

          Multiscreen® 96-well ultrafiltration plate

          For a higher throughput option, MultiScreen® ultrafiltration 96-well plates also incorporate our Ultracel® cellulose membranes for low binding and high recovery.

          Features

          • High Retention: meet stringent release specifications and are lot tested for >95% retention
          • Consistent Performance: offer high well-to-well uniformity
          • Versatility: compatible with a range of standard receiver 96-well microtiter plates (300 µL, 700 µL deep well, 150 µL conical well)

          Applications

          • High throughput (96-well) protein concentration and buffer exchange
          • Protein removal before sample analysis
          • Sample purification, concentration, and desalting of biological solutions

          Amicon® Stirred Cells

          Amicon® Stirred Cells use pressurized ultrafiltration (pUF) at high flow rates to process large sample volumes for rapid concentration, diafiltration, and buffer exchange. Gas pressure is applied directly to the cell for filtration. Compatible membrane filters include Ultracel® RC (regenerated cellulose) and Biomax® PES (polyethersulfone) membranes, offered in a broad range of nominal molecular weight limits ranging from 1 kDa to 500 kDa. Solutes above the membrane’s nominal molecular weight cut-off (NMWCO) are retained in cell, while water and solutes below the cut-off pass into the filtrate and out of cell.

          Features

          • Large volume ultrafiltration: offered in three different sizes to handle volumes from 50 mL to 400 mL, with an optional external 800 mL reservoir for expanded capacity
          • Gentle sample concentration: magnetic stirring minimizes concentration polarization and shear denaturation
          • Rapid ultrafiltration: high flow rates for solutions up to 10% macrosolute concentration
          • Reusable and autoclavable: Amicon® Stirred Cells can be autoclaved for sterility
          • Easy, secure setup: quick connectors to tubing
          • Integrated safety features: with screw threads and a pressure relief valve, there’s no need for external housing. This means easier assembly and disassembly, and very clear confirmation that the device is properly assembled.

          Applications

          • Concentrate, diafilter, and exchange buffers for macromolecule solutions including proteins, enzymes, antibodies and viruses

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