BeadBeater

The BeadBeater bead-mill is superior to other mechanical methods for microbial cell disruption.  And, in most cases, it is the most economical.  The BeadBeater disrupts microorganisms, single-cell preparations and pulverized plant and animal tissue with better than 95 percent efficiency. Typically, up to 80 grams (wet weight) of cells can be processed in three minutes. Relying on a unique crushing or cell-cracking action of colliding glass or ceramic beads rather than shear forces generated by a French Press or ultrasonicators, a Teflon impeller rotating at high speed forces thousands of minute glass* beads to violently collide in a special, clover-leaf-shaped vessel. Cells are disrupted quickly, efficiently and safely in this sealed system. The BeadBeater is easy to clean, has a small footprint, requires no auxiliary supplies or equipment and is essentially maintenance free. The beads settle out in seconds and are reusable.

* Note: Glass beads and zirconia-silica beads having diameters of 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm are the preferred grinding media.  Larger or heavier beads cannot be adequately agitated.  Steel beads or sharp-edged particles will be damage the bead chamber.