Mini-Beadbeater-96

• Sample Capacity: Holds one 2 mL deep-well microplate or two 1 mL deep-well microplates. Includes a poly vial rack capable of holding 45 microvials (0.5, 1.5, or 2.0 mL), each containing up to 400 mg (wet weight) of bio-material.  A 7 mL and 50 mL vial rack are also available.

• Vial Displacement: 1.25 inches (3.2 cm).

• Shaking Speed: Variable, from 1,400 to 2,400 rpm.  Disruption efficiency matches that of other Mini-Beadbeater models, ensuring compatibility with established protocols.

• Timer: Adjustable from 0 to 5 minutes, with automatic reset.

• Runtime Cycling: Up to 10 run cycles with pause times (0-5 minutes) between cycles

• Shaking Pattern: 3-D figure-8 pattern, ensuring complete disruption by shaking vials or plates in a near-horizontal orientation. No reorientation required during operation.

• Recycle Delay: No cool-down time required between sample runs.

• Dimensions: Width: 16 in, Depth: 24 in, Height: 18 in; Weight: 120 lbs.

• Power: Powerful 1 hp induction motor

• Voltage: 115 volt (20 amp) and 230 volt (10 amp) models available

• Maintenance: No routine maintenance required.

• Warranty: 2 years.

Cooling Considerations:  Effective temperature control is essential during bead milling when isolating proteins, membranes, or organelles, as sample temperatures can rise approximately 10 °C per minute due to bead friction. The Mini-BeadBeater-96 addresses this with solid aluminum vial holders (for 2 mL and 50 mL tubes), which retain low temperatures when pre-chilled. Unlike air-based cooling systems or cold room environments, aluminum's high thermal conductivity ensures superior heat dissipation during processing. However, temperature regulation is generally unnecessary when working with nucleic acid extraction buffers, as these reagents stabilize biomolecules during disruption.
References:
1. Rio, D.C. et al. (2010). RNA Integrity and Handling. Cold Spring Harb Protoc.
2. Simpson, R.J. (2010). Proteins and Proteomics: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Dry and Cryogenic Grinding:  The Mini-BeadBeater-96 is suitable for pulverizing most dried biological tissues and, under cryogenic conditions, fresh samples. Exceptions include woody materials and tissues with high lipid content. Stainless steel beads are typically used for dry grinding. For optimal performance, use reinforced containers such as stainless steel microvials with silicone caps, XXTuff2 vials, or Porvair deep-well plates, as standard plastic vessels may fracture under dry grinding forces.  Recommended bead configurations include:

Two 6.3 mm chrome steel bead

• Five-ten 3.2 mm chrome steel beads
• Beadbeat for 5–30 seconds. Steel beads may be used with standard plastic vials for wet grinding, provided the vessel is fully filled with liquid and air is minimized.

References:
1. Smagghe, G., & Swevers, L. (2014). Cell Disruption and Extraction. In: Functional Genomics and Proteomics in the Clinical Neurosciences. Springer.
2. Simpson, R.J. (2010). Proteins and Proteomics: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
3. Ragan, C.I., & Harper, J.N. (2000). Practical Methods in Biochemistry. Elsevier Academic Press.

Deep-Well Microplate Sealing and Cross-Contamination Prevention: When using deep-well microplates with the Mini-BeadBeater 96, proper sealing is critical to prevent leakage and cross-contamination between wells during high-intensity bead beating. Although the instrument uniformly clamps the sealing mat to the microplate, users must ensure initial sealing integrity by firmly pressing the mat onto the plate before use. Tools such as roller applicators or dedicated mat presses (see accessories below) can enhance sealing consistency and reliability.
Elastomeric mats composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or silicone rubber are recommended due to their superior sealing properties under mechanical stress. In contrast, mats made from alternative polymers, or those utilizing adhesive or heat-bonded films, may fail under the intense vibrational forces of the Mini-BeadBeater 96, leading to sample leakage.
To verify sealing effectiveness and minimize contamination risk, a simple leak test is recommended.