Choose the Bead Size to the Organism

Silica glass beads are the general-purpose choice for bead homogenization, supplied loose in bulk. They arrive ready to use: acid-washed and heat treated to remove contaminants, which leaves them nuclease and protease free.

Bead size is the decision that matters, and it follows the organism rather than the instrument. At 0.1 mm the beads are the best choice for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, where the target is a cell wall measured in micrometres. At 0.5 mm they move up to bacteria, fungi, spores, molds and small yeasts, which need a heavier impact to break.

Choosing a bead that is too large wastes energy on impacts the cell simply moves away from; too small and the impact never reaches the wall.

- Silica glass beads, supplied loose in bulk
- Acid-washed and heat treated, nuclease and protease free
- 0.1 mm: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
- 0.5 mm: bacteria, fungi, spores, molds and small yeasts
- Ready to use, no preparation required

See all homogenizers for the other techniques and sample volumes.