Has anyone used expired tissue culture plasticware such as flasks, dishes, tubes- and I particularly want to ask about serological pipettes. For how long after expiry did you find it safe to use? I received short expiry dated ones and it's such a waste to throw. My collaborator said they use for 6 months past the expiry date- has anyone used longer than that?!
Thanks,
William
Hi William,
I don't think anybody can give you a clear answer on that because it very much depends on the how the stuff was wrapped and stored, whether it was transported from one place to another already etc..
Especially with serological pipettes I would be careful. We once had massive problems with randomly occurring contaminations in cell cultures, which I am sure was related to damaged packaging of pipettes (since the problem disappeared once we threw them out of the sterile lab). Can you not use the expired plastics for non-sterile works? I would recommend you to get new stuff as saving money on this really is not worth the hassle and frustration of contaminations.
Hi Angela
Thanks for your helpful answer. Right now I am using serological pipettes expired about 10 months ago, for cell culture media without added antibiotics, and the cells are still ok. I'm not encouraging people to do this, but in case anyone wants to know. Good point you made that the wrapping has to be intact. I guess the wrapping should be inspected even for pipettes not expired.
Thanks,
William
hi i think that is depend on the expiry of plastic ware itself.
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