Homogenization, also known as micronization or particle size reduction, is the process of breaking cells or particles apart. This technique is gaining popularity in a number of industries, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biotech, and food. Small particle sizes are beneficial to many key manufacturing processes, such as the formulation of creams, sauces, and medicines. Small particles are more easily dispersed through a medium, which results in improved texture, taste, appearance, and efficacy, not to mention reduced costs. It is easy to see why particle size reduction and the homogenizers that aid in reducing particle size, are becoming a hot commodity!
How Does the Cell Wall Effect Homogenization?
Another way to look at this question is asking the same question in a different way: How does homogenization affect the cell wall? To find out the answer to this question, it is important to understand how homogenization works to disrupt cells.
Homogenizers are designed to reduce particle size, but they are also well suited for gently rupturing cell walls. Disrupting cell walls is the first step to completely breaking them apart. However, different cell types require different types of forces in order to be properly broken apart. Yeast and e. Coli, for example, are two different types of cells that require two completely different methods of cell disruption. The harder cell wall present in yeast requires a stronger force – or impact – to break it open, which the more delicate cell walls of e. Coli requires the force of shear. Other cell types, including bacteria, algae, and fungi, all require their own methods of breaking down their cell walls.
Pion understands the different requirements of breaking down cell walls, and we offer homogenizers that are suited to virtually every scenario. Our BEE brand homogenizers include laboratory homogenizers, as well as homogenizers that are appropriate for pilot plants and full-scale industrial applications. No matter which homogenizer you choose, you can be assured that they will offer the following benefits and features:
- Ability to control pressure in order to rupture a variety of cell types
- Capable of rupturing cells without damaging the delicate intracellular materials
- Results that are repeatable and 100% scalable to manufacturing
- In-line process that makes use of cavitation, shear, and impact
- Adjustable setting to allow for optimum results for the widest variety of cells
Contact us today to learn more.
