BEE International Blog

“Drug development” is a professional term used to define the process of bringing a newly discovered drug or pharmaceutical device to market. The process includes drug discovery, chemistry and pharmacology, nonclinical safety testing, manufacturing, clinical trials, and regulatory submissions. Drug development is a lengthy process, with many drugs taking an average of 10 years to be developed and prepared to be introduced to market and made available to the general public. Luckily, numerous strategies have been developed in recent years that aim to reduce drug discovery time.

Common Strategies Include:

• High-throughput screening: This method uses automated techniques to screen large numbers of compounds quickly and efficiently, which can help identify potential drug candidates faster.
• Computer-aided drug design: This approach uses computational tools to predict the properties and behavior of potential drug candidates, which can help identify compounds that are more likely to be effective and have fewer side effects.
• Collaboration: Collaborating with other research groups, industry partners, and government agencies can help share resources and expertise, which can speed up the drug discovery and development process.
• Targeted drug development: By focusing on specific disease targets, the drug discovery process can be streamlined and targeted, which reduces the number of compounds that need to be screened and tested.
• Advancement in technologies: Advancements in technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics can help to better understand the underlying biology of diseases, which can lead to the identification of new drug targets and the development of more effective drugs.
• Regulatory streamlining: Implementing a more efficient, flexible, and predictable regulatory process can help to speed up the approval process and reduce the time needed to bring new drugs to market.
• Repurposing existing drugs: Identifying new indications for existing drugs can help to speed up the drug development process, as these compounds have already been through safety and efficacy testing.
• Choosing the right process equipment can play a role in reducing new drug discovery time by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug discovery and development process. Furthermore, the use of advanced equipment for the production and formulation of the drug, can also help to speed up the development process by increasing the yield and purity of the drug substance and improving the stability, bioavailability and shelf-life of the final product.
  

Overall, a combination of these strategies can be used to reduce drug discovery and development time, while also increasing the chances of success.

Why BEE International?

BEE High pressure homogenizers can play a role in reducing drug discovery and development time by enabling the production of nanoemulsions and liposomes, which can improve the bioavailability and efficacy of pharmaceutical drugs.

Nanoemulsions are stable, homogenous mixtures of oil and water that can encapsulate hydrophobic drugs, increasing their solubility and bioavailability. High pressure homogenizers can be used to create nanoemulsions by forcefully pushing the mixture of oil and water through a small orifice under high pressure, which can break the mixture into small droplets.

Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of a phospholipid bilayer that can encapsulate hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs, increasing their stability and targeted delivery. High pressure homogenizers can be used to create liposomes by forcefully pushing the phospholipids and drug through a small orifice under high pressure, which can form the spherical vesicles.

Additionally, High pressure homogenizers can also be used to reduce the particle size of drugs, which can improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Therefore, the use of high pressure homogenizers can help to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of drugs, which can ultimately lead to faster identification of new drug candidates and can reduce the time needed to bring new drugs to market.

It's worth noting that high pressure homogenization is just one step in the drug development process, other steps such as preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory approval, and manufacturing must be completed as well. However, the use of high pressure homogenization can help to improve the quality and effectiveness of the final product, which may ultimately lead to faster approval and market availability of new drugs.

For more information about BEEI high pressure homogenizers and the role they can play in the reduction of drug discovery and development time, please contact us here.

Nanoemulsions are nano-sized emulsions that are manufactured to improve the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients. There are numerous reasons why nanoemulsions are important for new drug development. Keep reading to learn more about how nanoemulsions can help pharmaceutical professionals overcome common drawbacks and challenges associated with conventional methods of drug discovery.

What Are Nanoemulsions?

Nanoemulsions are manufactured to improve delivery methods of active pharmaceutical ingredients. They are the thermodynamically stable isotropic system in which two immiscible liquids are mixed to form a single phase by means of an emulsifying agent, i.e., surfactant and co-surfactant.

Why Are Nanoemulsions Important For Drug Discovery?

Nanoemulsions can improve the bioavailability of drugs that are not easily water-soluble; by reducing the particle size of the active ingredient on the nanometer scale, the drug can be more easily absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing its effectiveness. Additionally, nanoemulsions can be used to protect sensitive drugs from degradation and can be used as a delivery system for targeted drug delivery.

Nanoemulsions are important for liposomes because they can be used to encapsulate liposomes and protect them from degradation, increasing their stability and shelf-life. Nanoemulsions can also be used to enhance the penetration of liposomes through the skin, which is important for transdermal drug delivery. Additionally, nanoemulsions can be used to increase the loading capacity of liposomes, which allows for a higher concentration of the active ingredient to be delivered. Overall, nanoemulsions can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of liposomal drug delivery.

Nanoemulsions are critical for intravenous drugs because they can improve the solubility and stability of hydrophobic drugs, which are typically not soluble in water. By reducing the particle size of the active ingredient to the nanometer scale, these drugs can be more easily dissolved in water, allowing them to be administered intravenously. Additionally, nanoemulsions can be used to protect sensitive drugs from degradation, such as oxidation, and can be used for targeted drug delivery by conjugating the drug to the surface of the nanoemulsion. This can enhance the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and bioavailability of the drug. Overall, nanoemulsions can enhance the efficacy, safety and dosing regimen of intravenous drugs.

Creating Nanoemulsions with High Pressure Homogenization 

High pressure homogenization is a process used to create nanoemulsions by reducing the particle size of the active ingredient to the nanometer scale. Particle size reduction is an important aspect of new drug development because it can improve the bioavailability and efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs. By reducing the particle size of the active ingredient to the nanometer scale, the drug can be more easily absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing its effectiveness. Additionally, particle size reduction can be used to protect sensitive drugs from degradation and can be used as a delivery system for targeted drug delivery. The particle size reduction can help to increase the solubility of drugs which leads to an increase in bioavailability and, subsequently, the efficacy of the drug. Furthermore, reducing the particle size can increase the surface area of the drug, which can lead to a higher rate of dissolution and absorption. This can also improve the stability of the drug by reducing the risk of aggregation and precipitation. 

High pressure homogenization works by passing the mixture of the oil and water phases through a high-pressure homogenizer, which uses a high-pressure pump to create a high-pressure stream of fluid. The mixture is then forced through a small opening, such as a nozzle. With most high-pressure homogenizers, this generates intense shearing forces. Due to the modularity of BEE technology, intense cavitation and impact may also be applied to the mixture to further reduce particles or reduce process time. These forces break up the droplets of the dispersed phase into smaller droplets, resulting in the formation of a stable nanoemulsion. High pressure homogenization can be used to create nanoemulsions with droplet sizes in the range of 20-200 nm. The process can be repeated multiple times to achieve even smaller droplet sizes, which can improve the stability and bioavailability of the nanoemulsion.

To learn more about the value of using BEE International high pressure homogenizers to create nanoemulsions, please contact us today.

In the pharmaceutical industry, size matters. More specifically, particle size plays a key role in the overall effectiveness and quality of many drugs, medicinal products (like creams and gels), and foodstuffs. All drugs contain elements known as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). And it’s crucial that these APIs have high solubility. Broadly speaking, the smaller the API particle size, the higher the solubility, the higher the bioavailability, and ultimately, the better and more effective the drug is. As such, the process known as micronization has become an integral part of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. Micronization is the process of reducing the average diameter of a solid substance’s particles.
This leads us to our topic of the day, namely, what is microfluidization and how does it work?

Essentially, microfluidization is a form of micronization that involves the use of fluid pressure to create and apply one or more of the following forces: cavitation, shear and impact to reduce the particle size of a given substance. (It is not the same process as emulsification, which is the combination of two normally unmixable liquids.) Here, we’ll explain in greater detail how microfluidization works and what benefits it can provide for pharmaceutical and foodstuff manufacturers.

The Micronization Process

Particle size reduction through the micronization process can occur in several different ways. Modern manufacturers may utilize one of several types of equipment to reduce the size of the particles in a given substance. Each of these pieces of machinery is designed for different purposes, and businesses may utilize different micronization techniques for different products.

Crushers, agitators, rotary mixers, blenders maybe used for less challenging mixing. Less challenging might mean that the material is easily broken down to smaller particles, has less of a tendency to re-agglomerate, or that the target end product has a wide tolerance of acceptability or that the target particle size in the high micron range. For more challenging applications, homogenizers, sonic mixers, bead mills, grinder and sheer mixes are employed.

For example, pharmaceutical companies may require the use of an ultra-fine grinder to produce nanoparticles in order to improve the bioavailability of a drug. On the other hand, a foodstuffs manufacturer with a less challenging product may be better off using a rotary mixer. What’s more, some businesses may have to use several different forms of micronization equipment to achieve their desired particle size reduction.

Using High Pressure Homogenizers for Microfluidization

High-pressure homogenizers are often an ideal alternative for manufacturers looking to achieve micronization in an accurate, precise, and efficient manner. That’s because –– unlike traditional micronization machinery –– high pressure homogenizers use multiple forces at once to break down and shape APIs and other particles. Here at BEE International, for example, our high pressure homogenizers utilize a combination of forces — including turbulence, shear, cavitation, impact, and intensity — to generate nano-sized particles that can be more easily combined with other particles. What’s more, these forces can be tuned to produce the required results with the most efficient (shortest) process. Though microfluidization was not the principal reason for the creation of high-pressure homogenizers, many businesses prefer to use these homogenizers in the micronization process because of their superior performance capabilities. To sum up, the key benefits of using a high pressure homogenizer for micronization include:

• Tighter distribution of smaller particles.

• Better particle reduction in fewer passes.

• Increased manufacturing efficiency.

• Reduced manufacturing costs.

• Reduce the need for other premixing equipment and steps.

High pressure homogenizers help create products with longer shelf lives, increased bioavailability, and improved sensorial and biophysical properties. Lastly, BEE International high pressure homogenizers possess specialized modular components that can be used for specific purposes. As such, our high-pressure homogenizers are perfectly suited to carry out the micronization process for a wide range of products, from pharmaceutical drugs, to foodstuffs, to sanitary products, and more.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about high pressure homogenizers, including how and why they are necessary for facilitating the highest quality microfluidization and emulsification processes, please contact our team at BEE International. Our suite of high pressure homogenizing equipment allows a comprehensive range of applications, ensuring our customers the best value and quality in terms of time, money, and result.

You might also like to download our complimentary eBook, “How to Achieve Efficient & Consistent Particle Size Reduction” for additional information and tips.

The legal cannabis industry is a multibillion dollar enterprise that rests largely on the quality of the cannabis plant’s active components. Called cannabinoids, these chemical compounds — when effectively harvested and processed — are capable of bonding with receptors in our bodies and have the potential to produce anti-inflammatory, analgesic, euphoric and/or calming effects. Indeed, cannabinoids have been used by humans, both clinically and recreationally, for thousands of years, suggesting they are safe to consume with many beneficial properties.

But just because humans have a history of safely using cannabis products, it doesn’t mean that all cannabis products are created equal. Changes to federal and state laws have decriminalized cannabis use and relaxed criminal mandates in many areas of the country, allowing more and more players to enter the CBD and cannabis market. The result: a plethora of products but few standards. Yes, most states regulate the manufacture of cannabis products, but many lack even minimum requirements for potency, safety and/or testing; consumers are simply at the mercy of manufacturers, hoping they actually get what they pay for.

To better guarantee the quality and effectiveness of their products, reputable manufacturers work to create their own production processes that both sustain and maximize cannabinoid stability and bioavailability and deliver reliable results — in this case, medicines and products that are capable of provoking specific physiological effect(s) — each and every time. They do that by emulsifying the cannabis during production. Here’s how it works:

What Is Emulsification?

Emulsification is the mixing together of two or more substances that wouldn’t normally be able to combine. A chef vigorously whisking oil into vinegar to make a dressing is an example momentarily of a mix, but within seconds separation occurs. Emulsification adds an emulsifying agent, something that successfully binds the oil and water phase together without separation.

Cannabis manufacturers also use emulsification to ensure that the cannabinoids they extract from cannabis plants are able to be incorporated into viable products — drinks, creams, edibles and more that taste, look and/or smell good and that deliver the same results with each production run. The stability of these products, part of which is determined by the length of time the components do not separate, extends shelf life and expiration date.

How Are Homogenizers Used in Cannabis Production?

The process starts with the harvesting of the cannabis plant. From there, a manufacturer must extract the cannabinoids, basically a sticky syrup that is then refined, purified and distilled (or separated) from compounds that aren’t needed, such as terpenes, flavonoids and other contaminants. It is this resulting substance — an oily, bitter isolate that naturally repels water — that necessitates the emulsification process. At this point, the cannabinoid isolate is exposed to mixing equipment that uses one or more forces to break apart the chemical bonds of the cannabinoids and reduce the size of their particles.

Homogenization is the ideal mixing method. It is an in-line process, which means that all particles undergo the same mixing forces and there is less variation in the results. This eliminates “hot spots “in the end product. Homogenization is also an efficient mixing process, which means less time to produce a better effect.

Why BEE International Homogenizers Are the Best at Emulsifying

Typical emulsifiers use only one type of force, but a BEE International homogenizer uses multiple forces (turbulence, cavitation, shear and impact) to break apart and reduce particles. This creates smaller particles, maximizing the surface area of the cannabinoids.

BEE International homogenizers are versatile, with the ability to deliver a gentle mix to the most intense mixing process with up to 45,000 PSI. The intensity breaks product particles into the smallest size, down to nanometers. Smaller particles make it easier for their particles to completely mix, stay mixed with the aid of an emulsifier and deliver a product that is shelf stable and ready to be used. Smaller particles also increase potency and bioavailability up to 75%.

Only BEE International homogenizers have an option to eliminate the need for pre-mixing. This increases the efficiency and ease of the manufacturing process with less equipment and fewer manufacturing phases.

To learn more about the benefits of our patented Emulsifying Cell (EC) technology, as well as our proprietary systems, please contact us. We can help you choose equipment that guarantees safe and effective products, enabling you to stand superior to the competition and offer the most benefits to consumers.

Researchers are studying patient data looking to for a correlation between low vitamin D levels and COVID-19 mortality rates and indicate a link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity and mortality. Vitamin D is known to strengthen immunity and prevent overactive immune responses.

Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are crucial for human health. The addition of these vitamins into foods, pharmaceuticals, supplements and topicals is challenging due to solubility, bioavailability and stability issues. There is a tremendous need to make water soluble emulsions out of these vitamins to improve the behavior in the biological system. BEEI technology provides a way to produce repeatable, homogeneous stable nano emulsions, micro emulsions, or liposomes of fat soluble vitamins. These emulsions are critical for effectively incorporating additives such as Vitamin D into products.

BEE (Best Emulsifying Equipment) International’s high-pressure homogenization technology differentiates from other homogenizers and mixers in delivering constant and controllable energy to the process. BEE’s technology produces homogenous smaller and stable particles which has a significant impact on rate of absorption and total bioavailability. BEE International’s equipment is known for creating emulsions and liposomes made of two immiscible liquids that are stabilized by an emulsifying agent. Specifically this equipment is used to create emulsions and liposomes with higher bioavailability and longer shelf life.

For this reason, BEE International equipment enables vitamins such as Vitamin D to be incorporated into oil or lipids effectively improving the efficacy of vitamin D delivery. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.

1. Petre Cristian Ilie, Simina Stefanescu, Lee Smith., The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality. Received: 30 March 2020 / Accepted: 15 April 2020.

2. Frank H. Lau, Rinku Majumder, Radbeh Torabi, Fouad Saeg, Ryan Hoffman, JeffreyD.Cirillo, Patrick Greiffenstein, Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.24.20075838.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic and scientists are looking for factors and indicators that may protect the public. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality,¹ a publication by Petre Cristian Ilie, Simina Stefanescu, Lee Smith, studies this topic providing relevant data. The study reveals that in Louisiana, African Americans account for 70% of COVID-19 deaths despite representing only 32% of the population.² The study also notes that VDI affects 80-90% of the African American population.

In a Boston homeless shelter, 100% of 147 COVID-19 positive subjects were asymptomatic.³ Homeless persons generally have poorer health and nutrition, but can have greater exposure to sunlight, the source of 80-90% of the body’s vitamin D6.

Vitamin D is a nutraceutical agent, which is necessary for good health, particularly normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases. However, the sufficient amount of this vitamin needed for daily intake is not found in most foods which leads to many producers choosing to develop vitamin-enriched products. Strategies to increase the bioavailability of Vitamin D are sought. Several peer reviewed publications link a more stable emulsion to higher bio-availability of Vitamin D. Oil in water emulsions and liposomes are considered as the best approach to effective nutraceuticals.

O/W Emulsions or liposomes with a tighter distribution of smaller particles known to create a more homogeneous solution with longer shelf life. Product manufacturers seek the ideal homogeneous emulsion which entails formulation, minimum particle size and uniform dispersion of particles. High Pressure Homogenizers are the most efficient fluid processing equipment for creating these liposomes, nano and micro emulsions. BEE (Best Emulsifying Equipment) is renowned for their high-pressure homogenizers which are designed for sanitary particle size reduction to create stable emulsions.

BEE International technology is scalable, so the results produced on the smallest R&D device can be reproduced on the largest manufacturing equipment. This is crucial for industries needing to fast track formulations from R&D to clinical trials to manufacturing.

1. Petre Cristian Ilie, Simina Stefanescu, Lee Smith., The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality. Received: 30 March 2020 / Accepted: 15 April 2020.

2. Frank H. Lau, Rinku Majumder, Radbeh Torabi, Fouad Saeg, Ryan Hoffman, JeffreyD.Cirillo, Patrick Greiffenstein, Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.24.20075838.

Doing our part to equip scientists with the tools they need to produce a COVID-19 vaccine as fast as possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of society –– from the way businesses operate to the way individuals spend their own free time. We are currently living in an unprecedented moment, and, while measures like social distancing can slow the spread of the virus, only a vaccine will be able to effectively halt its progress. The development of a vaccine for COVID-19 could save millions of lives and help prevent the suffering of countless others.

At BEE International, we’re committed to doing our part to equip scientists with the tools they need to combat COVID-19 and to produce a vaccine as fast as possible. We are the leading manufacturer of high-pressure homogenizers, which can play a crucial role in developing a vaccine for COVID-19.

Researching COVID-19 Therapies and Vaccines

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to create antibodies meant to combat a virus or bacteria.

In order to produce a vaccine, scientists must generate an antigen. This is typically done by growing small amounts of a virus in various cells. From there, scientists can isolate the antigen (in this case the virus) from other materials such as proteins. After that, scientists will then attempt to purify and strengthen the antigen to produce an eventual immune-system response. The final step of the vaccination development process is scaling up to widespread distribution.

Homogenization

Homogenization is all about breaking particles apart. High-pressure homogenization involves blending, grinding, and/or mixing substances to reduce particle size and rupture cells.

Homogenization plays a part in vaccine research and manufacturing on two fronts:

• Cell disruption, also known as cell rupture and cell lysis, gently breaks open the cell walls to harvest naked intracellular viruses. Additional particles of the virus can sometimes be found in the extracellular materials as well. Homogenization disrupts cells to obtain a high yield of virus without damage or alteration.
• Water-in-oil emulsions serve as the carrier of vaccines –– the means to transport the medicine into the body and to induce the desired immune response. The stability of such emulsions greatly affects vaccine safety and efficacy. Homogenization is the most rapid and convenient method for creating emulsions that can form aggregates. In turn, those aggregates can be transported into the body and stably release therapies for the induction of immune response.

A small particle size, ideally in the nano range, within the emulsion has increased benefits in terms of rapid delivery and absorption. High-pressure homogenizers are best suited to reduce particle size. Highly controllable and efficient BEEI technology is ideally suited to develop the most efficient protocol

Entering into the development of vaccines and therapeutics, it is critical to select R&D instruments that can quickly scale up for manufacturing purposes. Thankfully, BEE Homogenizers are highly scalable. That means the same results created in the laboratory can be reproduced in pilot and manufacturing stages as well. Our homogenizers are also designed for sanitary applications and meet industry standards, validations, and regulations.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 outbreak is a difficult time for all, which is why we’re doing our utmost to work with scientists to produce a vaccine. Contact us here for more information about our products and services. 

The CBD industry is a large and competitive one. Since the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp and CBD at the federal level was signed into law a year and a half ago, the market for CBD and other hemp-related products has continued to grow, creating a booming cottage industry that is posed to hit $20 billion by the end of the 2024. While exciting, its rapid rise has made the CBD industry a hard one to fully understand. Constantly changing legislation and many unfounded claims can confuse even the most educated aficionado. Here’s what you need to know about CBD and CBD manufacturing:

Myth 1: CBD is the Same as Cannabis

It’s not. CBD is one of many chemicals found in the resin of the cannabis — or “marijuana” — plant. (THC, for instance, is another.) There are several strains of cannabis and when one of them is cultivated to produce a lower concentration of THC and a higher concentration of CBD, the plant is called “hemp,“ not marijuana. Hemp, unlike marijuana, is grown for industrial purposes, with its fibers used to make paper, textiles, plastics, biofuel and more. In this way, CBD can be harvested from both cannabis and hemp plants. The source doesn’t affect the molecular makeup of CBD, but it can influence the amount of contaminants, as well as the amount of other cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes, introduced to the CBD manufacturing process. This is because there are different agricultural regulations for growing hemp around the world, leading to possible exposure to pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc., and differing concentrations of other compounds depending on the type of plant used (which could be inadvertently harvested along with the CBD). Furthermore, the source also determines the amount of CBD that can be harvested from a single plant. For example: marijuana plants produce more resin than hemp. Since CBD is found in resin, it follows that cannabis yields more CBD per plant than hemp.

Myth 2: CBD Manufacturing is Regulated

Yes and no. Most states have regulations governing the manufacture of products containing CBD, but many of these are vague with little standardization of safety and potency guidelines. Not only is there no agreement regarding the minimum requirement for effectiveness and reliability in CBD manufacturing, there’s no one list defining the exact analytes, contaminants, mycotoxins, etc., for which manufacturers should even test. This means different CBD manufacturers offer products with varying levels of quality, making it hard for consumers to know what they are actually getting when they pull a CBD product off the shelf.

What It All Means for CBD Manufacturing

It’s time for CBD manufacturers to dispel the myths. With all eyes on cannabis products and their effects, one bad product can easily taint public opinion and serve as misinformation about the industry at large. Thus, CBD manufacturers must actively work to distinguish themselves as experts in safety and quality in order to gain consumer trust and remain competitive. The best way to do that: standardize and verify manufacturing processes with quality equipment. BEE International homogenizers render CBD products that meet and even exceed even the most rigorous testing criteria. Equipped with a patented and proprietary emulsifying system that combines multiple forces (including shear, cavitation and impact) to effectively break apart and then mix the components of CBD products, our machines guarantee uniformity and long-lasting shelf stability each and every manufacturing pass. Our homogenizers not only create better looking and better tasting products, they increase the bioavailability of the CBD compound by maximizing surface area to allow increased dissolution and absorption of it by up to 75%. Indeed, our equipment facilitates the absorption of more active ingredient so well that manufacturers can use less of it, reducing costs and shortening production times. It’s a win for manufacturers and consumers alike. To learn how BEE International homogenizers could improve your production processes, your products and your ROI, please contact our office.

You might also like to download our free eBook, “3 Reasons Why High Pressure Homogenization Improves Cannabis Products,” for additional facts detailing the value of cannabinoid homogenization.

The homogenization of cells refers to the process by which all components of a biological sample are made equal. By breaking down cell membranes/walls, it allows for the thorough mixing of a sample’s cellular contents. The result: a sample that has a consistent and uniform molecular make-up. Here’s everything you need to know about cell homogenization:

The Homogenization Process

The homogenization of cells is basically a cell lysis technique meant to release the intercellular contents of cells so that they can be better accessed, maintained and/or mixed. There are other ways to disrupt (or lyse) cells, such as cryopulverization, nitrogen decompression and more, but the most popular method is homogenization. Homogenization uses one or more types of mechanical force to break apart and mix the components of a sample. When used with biological materials, cell homogenization allows scientists to isolate and study the contents of cells and manufacturers to make better products.

Why You Should Homogenize Cells

There are many reasons to choose cell homogenization over other cell lysis methods, the most significant being that different types of cells require different disruption techniques. For instance, some cells are fragile and need a more sensitive means for cell lysis lest the entire cell be destroyed during the process. Some cells have tough outer matrices or walls, warranting a more extreme cell lysis force in order for valuable intercellular contents to be reached. Some cells need enzymes or other reagents added to them to facilitate lysis, and in other cases, the cell lysis procedure itself either creates or relies on a certain temperature that can comprise or otherwise negate optimal results. The considerations are varied and wide-ranging with everything from the cost of the equipment, the size of the sample and stability, reproducibility and scaling problems to even physical space constraints (to accommodate the size of the equipment) also affecting the selection of one cell lysis method over another.

The Value of High Pressure Homogenization of Cells

Here at BEE International, we believe that homogenization — specifically, high pressure homogenization — affords the best value for many scientists and manufacturers alike. Our high pressure homogenizers offer a customizable approach to the cell homogenization process, with our patented Emulsifying Cell (EC) technology allowing you to control the type and duration of the force(s) used according to multiple cell types. Indeed, our proprietary homogenizing system can rupture cell walls and membranes without damaging any other crucial cell components, making our equipment effective, efficient and extremely competitive. If you would like to learn more about the homogenization of cells and how high pressure homogenizers can improve your productivity, as well as strengthen the quality of the products you test and create, please contact us. We believe cell homogenization offers countless benefits when used as a part of many research and manufacturing processes.

While the terms “pasteurization” and “sterilization” are sometimes used interchangeably, each is actually a separate process offering unique benefits. Knowing the difference between the two will help you understand why scientists and manufacturers from a wide range of industries choose to use one over the other as they test and create food items, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals and more. Keep reading for a quick overview of the pasteurization vs. sterilization processes:

Pasteurization

Pasteurization refers to the application of low level heat to food so that the harmful microorganisms and enzymes in it are either killed or deactivated. By eliminating these pathogens, pasteurization helps preserve many types of food items and prevents food-borne illness and disease upon their consumption. Since only a mild heat is applied, the treated food experiences just a small reduction in nutritional value and little change to its sensory qualities, making pasteurization a great preservation and safety tool for many food products.

Sterilization

Sterilization, on the other hand, refers to the process by which all microorganisms are killed or removed from an object or substance. Unlike pasteurization, which usually relies on heat to kill pathogens, sterilization can be achieved via several different means, including high pressure, chemicals and radiation, and can be applied to multiple types of products (not just food).

So, How Does Homogenization Fit In?

When considering pasteurization vs. sterilization, it’s easy to also wonder about homogenization. Homogenization is the process by which one substance is broken into uniform parts and thoroughly mixed with another. Different types of homogenizers rely on different forces to reduce particle size and facilitate this mixing — from turbulence, impact and shear to ultrasonic sound waves and high pressure.

Of course, first and foremost, homogenizers are meant to homogenize, but our high pressure homogenizers here at BEE International have the added benefit of effectively pasteurizing many food items, too. During high pressure homogenization (HPH), a sample is exposed to extreme pressure and pushed through tiny holes which breaks the its cellular bonds, reduces its particle size and allows it to be better mixed with another substance. This process doesn’t just allow for better mixing, though; it kills many pathogenic organisms, as well.

Thermal pasteurization is still the most common pasteurization method, but in 2004, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) issued a report requesting that “pasteurization” be redefined to include "any process, treatment, or combination thereof, that is applied to food to reduce the most resistant microorganism(s) of public health significance to a level that is not likely to present a public health risk under normal conditions of distribution and storage” (i.e., pasteurization can be accomplished via means other than heat). Indeed, many food manufacturers are pushing for increased reliance on high pressure pasteurization since it has the potential not only to reduce nutritional degradation, but to enhance it due to physical and chemical changes that occur when certain foods are exposed to high pressure. Current studies even show promise in using ultra high pressure homogenization for sterilization; there’s little doubt that it’s an exciting time for high pressure homogenizers!

Want to Learn More?

If you’re wondering how high pressure homogenization might benefit your pasteurization processes or have other questions regarding pasteurization vs. sterilization methods, please contact us. Our patented emulysifying cell technology affords many advantages; we would be happy to review your needs and help you choose a homogenizing system that will improve your manufacturing or research procedures and boost your productivity, as well as strengthen the quality of the products you test and create.

Feel free to also download our complimentary eBook, “How to Achieve Efficient & Consistent Particle Size Reduction,” for additional information on the value of high pressure homogenization.