Prasad Lab Equipment

An Orbital Shaking Incubator is a laboratory device that combines the functions of an incubator with orbital shaking, providing both temperature control and continuous agitation for biological and chemical processes. These units are essential for applications that require the cultivation of microorganisms, cell cultures, or for experiments where mixing or aeration is needed during incubation.

Key Features of an Orbital Shaking Incubator:

1. Orbital Shaking Motion:

   • The shaking mechanism operates with an orbital motion, where the flask or container moves in a circular or elliptical path. This motion helps provide consistent mixing, which is particularly useful for suspending cells, nutrients, or reactions in the sample.

2. Temperature Control:

   • The incubator part of the system maintains a constant temperature, typically ranging from ambient temperature up to 60-70°C, depending on the model. Temperature regulation is crucial for optimizing biological growth, enzyme reactions, or chemical processes.

3. Speed Control:

   • Most orbital shaking incubators allow users to adjust the shaking speed (in RPM or revolutions per minute). This feature is useful for controlling the intensity of mixing, which can be critical for different types of cultures or reactions.

4. Timer Function:

   • Some models feature a built-in timer that allows the user to set a specific incubation time, ensuring that the sample is shaken and incubated for the required period.

5. Versatile Platform:

   • The shaking platform is designed to hold a variety of containers, such as flasks, test tubes, petri dishes, or microplates. The platform can usually be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and shapes of vessels.

6. LED Display and Control Panel:

   • Modern units come with user-friendly LED displays and digital control panels for setting temperature, shaking speed, and time. Some models may have advanced features such as alarms or data logging.

7. Safety Features:

   • These incubators are equipped with features like over-temperature protection, non-slip platforms, and automatic shutoff to ensure safe operation in the laboratory.

How It Works:

1. Shaking:

   • The platform is driven by a motor that causes it to move in a circular, orbital motion. This motion helps mix the sample evenly, providing aeration for cultures or ensuring uniform distribution of reagents in reactions.

2. Incubation:

   • The device maintains a consistent temperature set by the user, ensuring that the sample remains within the optimal range for the growth of bacteria, yeast, or other biological samples.

3. Combination of Functions:

   • The orbital shaking and incubation functions work together to enhance the growth of cultures, speed up reactions, or ensure consistent mixing in an environment that supports the needs of the samples.

Applications of Orbital Shaking Incubators:

• Microbial Cultivation: Used for growing bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that require both temperature control and aeration.
• Cell Culture: Used in research for maintaining cell cultures that require mixing and constant temperature for growth.
• Protein Expression: Ideal for incubating bacterial or yeast cultures during protein expression studies.
• Biochemical Reactions: Used in laboratory experiments that require continuous mixing and controlled temperature for chemical reactions.