Puritan Medical Products Blog

Puritan Flocked Swab Absorption Capacity Validated by New Study

Written by Puritan Medical | May 7, 2014 3:14:00 PM

Read the Study
 - View the Poster

A recent study, first presented at CACMID 2014 in Victoria, British Columbia, offers a simple alternative method for measuring flocked swab absorption capacity.

The new uptake experiments demonstrated that Puritan's HydraFlock® flocked swab has a “greater propensity to absorb fluids than Copan’s nylon flocked swab.” 

Previous research methods for determining fluid absorption capacity included assessments of complex measurements such as:  

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Radioactive Tracer (RT)
  • Zeta Potential (ZP)
  • Water Absorbance 
  • Protein Absorbance


The new study drastically simplifies this methodology. It uses spectrophotometric (OD) measurement techniques to validate the absorption capacities of Puritan’s HydraFlock® swab and Copan's nylon flocked swab in various suspensions. 

Using the OD method, a red dye assessment, and a lactophenol cotton blue dye test, the experiment showed that the Copan swabs had more leftover inoculum than the Puritan swabs; clearly demonstrating the HydraFlock®’s ability to absorb and retain specimen at a higher rate than Copan’s nylon flocked swab. 

Want to learn more about HydraFlock®’s superior absorption capacity? Contact one of our knowledgeable product specialists for more information.