Indicate that the specimen is plasma on the plastic screw-cap vial for transport and test requisition. Centrifugation: When plasma is required, or when not using a serum gel separator tube, follow these instructions: 1  Draw 12 mL of whole blood for each 5 mL of serum or plasma needed. 2  Centrifuge for at least 15 minutes at 2200-2500 RPM. 3  Pipette the serum or plasma into a clean plastic screw-cap vial and attach the label.