Pierce™ Protein Concentrator PES, 10K MWCO, 5-20 mL, 24 Concentrators - FAQs

We do not recommend autoclaving the PES protein concentrators. High temperatures will significantly increase the membrane molecular weight cutoff (MWCO). To sterilize, we recommend using a 70% ethanol solution.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Assays and Analysis Support Center.

Yes, the PES membrane is compatible with desalting and buffer exchange. Protocols for concentrating, desalting, and buffer exchange only are provided in the product manuals.

The protein concentrator columns have an upper compartment that holds the sample, and a lower compartment. The two compartments are separated by a polyethersulfone (PES) semipermeable membrane. Centrifugation is applied to force solvent through the membrane, leaving a more concentrated sample in the upper chamber. The protein concentrator cassettes also contain a PES membrane and a unique channel design that ensures high optimal flux with no optimization effort. Unlike other systems, the fluid is passed parallel to the filter, rather than being pushed through a membrane perpendicularly, which can clog the filter. For maximum protein recovery in both columns and cassettes, samples should have a molecular weight two-fold greater than the molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of the concentrator membrane.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Assays and Analysis Support Center.

Pierce polyethersulfone (PES) protein concentrators are offered in six distinct MWCOs of 3K, 5k, 10K, 30K, 50K, and 100K, and the cassettes are offered in five membrane MWCOs of 3K, 10K, 30K, 50K, and 100K. The columns can process four different sample volumes ranges of 100-500 µL, 2-6 mL, 5-20 mL, and 20-100 mL, while the cassettes can process 0.5-6 L. Please see our selection chart and video found here (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-purification-isolation/protein-dialysis-desalting-concentration/protein-concentrators.html).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Assays and Analysis Support Center.

There are different ways to concentrate your protein. These include:

Centrifugation (filtration) using concentrators
Dialysis
Lyophilization
Precipitation

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Purification and Isolation Support Center.

In order to obtain a high protein recovery (greater than 90%) when using the PES concentrators, make sure your protein of interest has at least a 2-fold higher molecular weight than the MWCO of the concentrator. For example, use a 5 K MWCO device for a greater than 10 kDa protein.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Dialysis, Desalting, and Concentration Support Center.

Typically, samples can be concentrated up to 10- to 30-fold in 5-30 mins. The cassettes can concentrate volumes ranging from 0.5-6 L in under one hour. Times may vary for different MWCOs and the buffer composition of the sample, as well as the total sample volume being processed.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Dialysis, Desalting, and Concentration Support Center.

The products are available in five sizes (0.5 mL, 6 mL, 20 mL, and 100 mL, and 500mL - 6L) with a range of molecular weight cutoffs (MWCOs): 3K, 5K, 10K, 30K, 50K, and 100K. See our selection chart - https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-purification-isolation/protein-dialysis-desalting-concentration/protein-concentrators.html.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Dialysis, Desalting, and Concentration Support Center.

Please view our selection table (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-purification-isolation/protein-dialysis-desalting-concentration/protein-concentrators.html) to choose the right protein concentrator to fit your needs.

Protein concentrators use ultrafiltration: hydrostatic pressure forcing a liquid against a semi-permeable membrane, with larger molecules retained within the unit. Dialysis works via diffusion across a semi-permeable membrane.

The Pierce concentrators are available with a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, and are available in 0.5, 6, 20, and 100 mL volume capacities, with 3K or 5K, 10K, 30K, and 100K MWCOs.