TECH NOTE
CAP COLOR
CODING
For biological samples
“During the collection, processing and storage
of samples, sample traceability is crucial.
While most laboratories use 1D and 2D barcodes on sample tubes to ensure traceability
of samples, cap color inspection will further
promote the tube identification process.”
CAP COLOR CODING
D
uring the collection, processing and storage of
samples, sample traceability is crucial. While most
laboratories use 1D and 2D barcodes on sample
tubes to ensure traceability of samples, cap color inspection will further promote the tube identification process.
Cap color coding in laboratories is particularly useful when used
to distinguish between different types of research purposes. Color
provides a visual clue that works faster than text alone. By adding
cap color coding next to 1D and 2D barcodes, users can speed
up sample storage and retrieval time, eliminate human errors, and
reduce the risk of lost samples.
On a daily basis, large independent laboratories or biobanks collect, process and store several types of biological samples - including blood, DNA, tissue, urine or feces. These samples can be
human or animal. Additionally, other samples like plants or seeds
can be collected, processed and stored as well.
Regarding the sample storage process of blood samples - it starts
with blood collection. The commonly used test tubes for collecting high volume blood samples are vacuum containers. These
test tubes have colored caps indicating additives that may have
been added to pre-treat the blood or to preserve it for processing.
These additives may consist of anticoagulants (e.g. ACD, EDTA
The transfer of the blood samples from vacuum containers into
or Potassium Oxalate), a gel with intermediate density between
smaller sample storage tubes results in the loss of the advantage
blood cells and serum, or substances that preserve certain chemi-
of visual identification by cap color. Up until now, no cap color cod-
cals or substances within the blood (e.g. Glucose).
ing standard exists in the market for sample storage tubes which
is based on the cap colors of sample collection tubes. Therefore,
The collected blood samples are used for blood tests and subse-
to still be able to identify the aliquots by cap color inspection or
quent short-term storage (laboratories), or for long-term storage
to ensure that aliquots can be traced back to parent samples,
(biobanks). Mostly for long-term sample storage, the high volume
Micronic offers a standard cap color solution for 96-, 48- and
blood samples are subdivided into several aliquots. This is done
24-format sample storage tubes. This solution is related to the
to have backups if an aliquot degrades or is used for research.
cap colors of vacuum containers. To each type of blood sample
Since the aliquots have a smaller volume, they are stored into
(i.e. additive which is present to pre-treat or preserve the blood), a
smaller 2D coded sample storage tubes in 96-well rack format,
cap color is assigned. Next to blood samples, the cap color solu-
like those supplied by Micronic. When the aliquots have been
tion can also be used for other samples (e.g. DNA, tissue, urine,
stored into these types of racked tubes, the 1D rack barcode and
feces, plants or seeds).
2D tube codes are scanned (to ensure sample traceability) and
then the samples are stored at low temperatures. The most com-
The standard Micronic cap color coding guide for sample
monly used low temperatures are -20°C, -80°C or -196°C.
storage tubes can be found on the next page.
WWW.MICRONIC.COM INNOVATION IN SAMPLE STORAGE | MICRONIC
Other
Blood samples
Cap Color
Additive
Research purpose
Sample
Grey
Potassium oxalate with sodium
fluoride
Glucose determinations and some
special chemistry tests
Tissue
White
EDTA with gel
Molecular diagnostic tests
(PCR)
Saliva, cerebrospinal and other fluids
Yellow
Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate (SPS)
Blood culture specimen
collections in microbiology
Urine and cerethral
swabs
Orange
Clot activator and gel for serum
separation
Various chemistry, immunology, and
serology tests
Food matters
Red
Clot activator and no anticoagulants,
preservatives, or separator material
LDH, ionized Ca, drug, vitamin D,
parathyroid hormone, osmolality,
bone markers and endocrine tests
Chemicals
Pink
EDTA
Preferred for blood banks
(transfusion samples)
Breast milk and
meconium
Purple
EDTA
Hematology (CBC, platelet, sed rate)
and chemistry (CD4, CD8, G6PD,
hemoglobin A1C) tests
Environmental
specimen
Blue
EDTA or plain
Copper, zinc or trace element determinations
Semen and
cervical swabs
Light Blue
Sodium citrate
PT, PPT, fibrinogen, fibrin D-Dimer,
CMV buffy coat and other coagulation tests
Marine and other
intact organisms
Light Green
Lithium heparin and gel separator
Plasma determinations in
chemistry
Seeds
Green
Sodium heparin
Plasma determinations in
chemistry
Micro organisms
and plant matters
Black
Sodium citrate ESR
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates
Nail clippings and
hair
MICRONIC | INNOVATION IN SAMPLE STORAGE
WWW.MICRONIC.COM
About Micronic
Micronic is a leading global supplier of secure sample storage
solutions to biobanking and laboratory facilities. Dedicated to the
design and production of innovative sample storage solutions for
over 30 years, Micronic is uniquely able to offer laboratories the
expert advice to help them safeguard one of its most valuable
assets - its samples.
Micronic is an independent organization with its headquarters located in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Micronic’s class 7 clean room
is also located here, in which all the products are produced, assembled, and certified as RNase, DNase and Pyrogene free. Micronic is an ISO 9001 and 14001 certified company. The Micronic
sales, marketing and product support is organized at two sales
offices: Micronic Europe BV and Micronic America LLC. The products are applied worldwide in the (research) laboratories of university hospitals, forensics, agricultural, veterinary and governmental
institutes, as well as companies in the biotech, food, chemical and
pharmaceutical areas.
Micronic America
(North, Central and South America)
Tel: +1 484 480 3372
Micronic Europe
(Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania)
Tel: +31 (0)320 277070
E-mail: [email protected]
www.micronic.com
© 2013 Micronic. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change.
Please consult your local sales representative for more details. [PD0801901]