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supernatant

supernatant

2 8.4
A clear liquid that stays on top of solids after the liquid settles
  • noun
  • /ˌsuːpərˈneɪtənt/
  • Specialized
: supernatante
  • The sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatant was decanted to waste.
  • cell culture supernatants
  • viral supernatants
  • mL of supernatant

Examples

  • In addition, the cytokines and chemokines released by those stimulations were screened in supernatants.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Following centrifugation, the supernatant was transferred to a new tube and then injected into cells.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Of note, only supernatant was taken for the assay.

    Academic text (2015)
  • After that, the resin was allowed to settle, and the supernatant was decanted to waste.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Cell culture supernatants from several passages were subjected to specific RT-PCR.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Exosomes can be found in most body fluids, including urine and blood, as well as in supernatants of cultured cells.

    Academic text (2017)
  • All subsequent vaccines were formulated with clarified CHO cell culture supernatant that was then gamma irradiated.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The suspensions were centrifuged at 12,100 g for 20 minutes, and the clear supernatants were used as inhibitors.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The pellet was discarded and the supernatant was centrifuged at 100,000 x g for 1 h at 4°C.

    Academic text (2012)
  • After centrifugation, the clear supernatant was carefully collected for further analysis.

Antonyms

127 4.1

A small amount left on something after most is removed

Surface Forms

supernatant singular
supernatants plural

Morphology

supernatant = natant (semi-transparent) = super + natant

The prefix 'super-' is clear, but 'natant' is less commonly known, making the overall meaning less transparent.

Etymology

Supernatant comes from the Latin parts super 'above' and natare 'to swim'. In a lab, the supernatant is the clear liquid that sits on top of the solid after the mixture has settled.