BEE International Blog

Many industries depend on ultrasonic emulsification to get their products out the door and in front of customers. Put plainly, ultrasonic emulsification is basically vigorous mixing, and many industries use it because it is the only way to facilitate the combining of certain types of substances: those that are naturally immiscible, like oil and water, for example. Keep reading for a quick overview of ultrasonic emulsification, the industries that rely on it and info on an alternative piece of equipment that can vastly improve the process:

What is Ultrasonic Emulsification?

As mentioned, ultrasonic emulsification is a powerful way of mixing two liquids so that one is completely dispersed throughout the other and neither will revert back to its original properties over time. Of course, there are other ways of facilitating emulsification, but ultrasonic emulsification relies on ultrasound energy (high frequency vibrations that cause cavitation) to forcibly combine the two substances. Think about many popular food items, like salad dressing; you know that oftentimes you need to shake the bottle before pouring in order to evenly blend the dressing’s ingredients and not end up with a bowl full of oil (or vinegar) only! Ultrasonic emulsification is just a high-tech method of performing the same process. Since oil and water do not mix, (no matter how much shaking or cavitation is applied) an emulsifier or surfactant, an additional ingredient that mixes well with both water and oil, is added so that two substances mixed with the right mixing technology can stay mixed in a homogeneous state.

Industries that Depend on Ultrasonic Emulsification

In addition to the food industry, there are many other industries that create common and highly useful products via ultrasonic emulsification.

• The Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is often necessary to create oil-in-water emulsions in order to make medicines more palatable and to increase their efficacy by evenly dispersing their active ingredients. Without ultrasonic emulsification, for instance, many drug products would remain in an unmixed state, too bitter to ingest and/or unable to work effectively since they would inevitably deliver inconsistent dosages of the ingredients needed every time they were taken. It's just like that bottle of dressing that was not shaken before being poured and therefore spurted out alternating globs of oil and vinegar but never an actual vinaigrette.

• The Beauty Industry

Similarly, most cosmetics, perfumes, and skin and hair care products need to undergo some type of emulsification process to ensure that they look appealing and can be applied evenly across the skin. Ultrasonic emulsification, in particular, simultaneously mixes and breaks apart substances into incredibly small particles (more so than mere mixers or blenders), enabling manufacturers to better guarantee that their products will possess a smoother consistency and be more easily absorbed into the skin. Furthermore, substances with smaller particle sizes are more stable, meaning they last longer than products that haven’t been properly mixed or have been mixed using only mechanical means.

• The Cannabis Industry

Perhaps, however, the cannabis industry is currently reaping the best results as a result of their emulsification processes. In this rapidly growing market, the best-tasting and most potent cannabis products are the ones in demand. Ultrasonic emulsification allows manufacturers to guarantee a consistent product each and every time it leaves a production line since it reduces the size of cannabinoid molecules, making it easier for them to be absorbed by the body and also delivering a more uniform amount of active ingredient with every swig, bite, puff, swallow, chew, rub, spray or any other type of ingestion/application!

The BEE International Advantage

There’s no doubt that emulsification has changed the game for countless industries, allowing them to create products that last longer, taste better and/or provide better and more consistent effects than those that haven’t undergone the same type of robust processing. 

There is an even better alternative, though: high pressure homogenizers (HPH). Our HPHs here at BEE International, for example, utilize a patented Emulsifying Cell (EC) technology that surpasses the limited cavitation capacity of ultrasonic equipment and also employs other mixing forces of turbulence such as shear and impact. Control levels of each of these forces is in the hands of the user with BEE HPHs which means you can control the most efficient process for your product and the very best efficiency yield. Products emulsified with our homogenizers possess the tightest distribution of the smallest possible particle sizes and provide even higher quality products than ultrasonic mixers, sonicators, or other types of sonic mixers. Unlike sonication, BEE's proprietary homogenizing processes can scale up with ease as all our technology is built on the same platform (from R&D or Lab to pilot to manufacturing). Ultimately, this means companies spend less time and less money during their process manufacturing!

There’s a reason we’re called BEE; we offer the “Best Emulsifying Equipment” on the market. To learn more about our products and the technologies that make our HPHs the best option for your own emulsifying needs, please contact us today.

Nanoemulsification is the process by which a nanoemulsion is created. And a nanoemulsion is the combination of two immiscible liquids (such as water and oil) with particles less than 500 nm in diameter. Nanoemulsification equipment, then, is any tool that can be used to effectively create nanoemulsions. There aren’t very many of them, and some work better than others. For specialty jobs in a highly aggressive market, like cannabis-infused beverages, the nanoemulsification equipment that yields the absolute smallest-sized particles enables cannabinoid product manufacturers to gain valuable market share, offering cannabinoid drinks that deliver a faster, more potent effect than those of their competitors. Take a look at the reasons nanoemulsification equipment is needed — and why high pressure homogenizers are the best option — for cannabis beverage processing:

Nanoemulsification Equipment is the Only Way to Ensure Maximum Bioavailability and Efficiency in Cannabis Beverages

THC and CBD are two types of chemical compounds commonly found in cannabis products. Respectively, they are known for their euphoric or sedative effects, but only when absorbed by the body in some way. However, as fat-soluble molecules, neither THC nor CBD is easily nor quickly digestible if simply ingested in their natural state. Instead, the body has to move the cannabinoids through the digestion system, using bile and various enzymes along the way to break them into tiny particles that can then be more readily absorbed. In this way, the body itself basically has to create a nanoemulsion in order to allow the oil-based molecules in cannabinoids to be absorbed into the body.  It works…but it’s slow, delaying the body’s reaction to the various cannabinoid compounds, as well as never consistently guaranteeing the same type of effects. 

Using nanoemulsification during processing (i.e., before ingestion) solves the problem. By breaking down the cannabinoid oils with nanoemulsion equipment before they are imbibed, cannabis product manufacturers are able to mix teeny, tiny cannabinoid particles into a stable liquid phase (meaning they don’t settle to the bottom of the bottle). Fully and evenly dispersing the cannabinoids into a beverage ensures that the body immediately absorbs it, providing a more consistent product that always looks and works the same.

The BEE International Advantage

Our high pressure homogenizers here at BEE International are the only type of nanoemulsification equipment that can consistently create the tightest distribution of smallest-sized particles. Unlike other nanoemulsification equipment (such as sonicators and microfluidizers) that only utilize one type of mechanical force, BEE International high pressure homogenizers make use of a proprietary and patented Emulsifying Cell (EC) technology which combines multiple types of forces (shear, cavitation and impact) to more effectively break apart and mix the particles in a substance. Furthermore, our HPHs can be customized according to the job at hand. When making cannabis-infused beverages, for instance, manufacturers can adjust the combination of forces, as well as the intensity and duration of their application, so that cannabinoids are rendered to their smallest possible size in less passes. Please contact us to learn more.

You might also like to download our free eBook, “3 Reasons Why High Pressure Homogenization Improves Cannabis Products,” here.

There are hundreds — probably thousands or even millions— of reasons to break apart something that’s big into smaller pieces. From facilitating easier transport of active ingredients to encouraging in-depth exploration (and many other reasons in between), reducing a substance into smaller components often leads to more useful — if not just more plentiful — parts. Across multiple industries, for instance, particle size reduction processes enable manufacturers to create products that look and work better than those made without them. The key, however, is picking the right type of particle size reduction equipment; there are many ways to reduce the size of particles in a substance and, as a result, there are many types of particle size reduction equipment. It’s not always easy to know which type of particle size reduction equipment to use. Here’s what you need to know:

There are Many Ways to Reduce Particle Size

There are many ways to reduce the size of a substance’s particles; you can use molecular forces and/or mechanical forces. Unfortunately, molecular forces can alter the chemical composition of a sample, thus affecting the resulting end product’s functionality. Mechanical forces, however, only alter a sample’s physical structure and, therefore, are more often utilized in particle size reduction equipment. Indeed, at a most basic level, particle size reduction equipment depends on at least one of the following mechanical forces:

• Shear — which is similar to cutting with a pair of scissors
• Impact — which is similar to a collision between two objects
• Cavitation — which is similar to the popping of a bubble

(In addition, high pressure can be used to force apart a substance, as well; we’ll get to that in a minute!)

The Type of Force Used Affects Particle Size Reduction

Specific types of particle size reduction equipment utilize different forces, with each offering their own unique advantages and disadvantages. For example:

• Paddle Blenders utilize impact and shear forces to break apart large samples and are particularly conducive to separating living cells from tissue samples but not applicable when extremely small particles are needed.
• Bead Mills utilize impact and shear forces by adding small beads to a sample and agitating them so that they collide with one another (and also the sample), breaking the sample into smaller pieces. Because small traces of the beads might end up in a sample, these type of particle size reduction equipment is not appropriate in certain situations. 
• Rotor Stator Homogenizers utilize shear force to create small (although not nanoscale) particle sizes, but often create a small amount of heat that can degrade a sample.
• Ultrasonic Homogenizers utilize cavitation and impact to create nano particle sizes, but can create a large amount of heat affecting many types of samples.
  
  

Only High Pressure Homogenizers Offer The Widest Range of Manufacturing and Scientific Possibilities

While other particle size reduction equipment makes use of only one or possibly two forces, our BEE International high pressure homogenizers utilize shear, impact, cavitation and high pressure to break apart and reduce the size of a sample’s particles. BEE stands for Best Emulsifying Equipment. Furthermore, our patented emulsifying cell (EC) technology permits the complete customization of forces (including their duration and intensity) used during any one manufacturing or laboratory process, which allows manufacturers and scientists alike the ability to achieve specific results as needed, such as nano emulsions; cell lysis; uniform particle reduction; maximum bioavailability; improved and consistent sensorial and biophysical properties and more!

To learn more about what makes BEE International high pressure homogenizers the particle size reduction equipment of choice, please contact BEE International.

Cannabinoids, chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, are naturally fat soluble, meaning they are dissolvable only in nonpolar solvents and, thus, not capable of mixing with water. It’s a major problem that often makes the manufacture of cannabis-based beverages difficult since cannabinoids can’t be broken down and mixed with other ingredients naturally for any sustained amount of time. Cannabis-based beverage products, for instance, work faster, taste better and last longer only when they are able to be mixed properly with — read: dissolved completely within — other ingredients. Leaving cannabinoids in their original oily state, then, makes it impossible to guarantee the bioavailability, stability or longevity of cannabis beverages. Luckily, manufacturers have options. Here’s how you can create water soluble cannabinoids for beverages and, therefore, always ensure that your cannabis drinks are of the highest quality:

What are Water Soluble Cannabinoids for Beverages?

Technically, there are no “true” water soluble cannabinoids. What we actually mean when we use the term “water soluble cannabinoids for beverages” is really just “cannabinoids that have been reduced to the smallest-sized particles so that they can be thoroughly mixed with a liquid substance.” With this in mind, the trick becomes finding a way to break down cannabinoids into such small pieces that they can be used to manufacture cannabis beverages with maximized flavor and potency.

Using Emulsions to Create Water Soluble Cannabinoids for Beverages

As mentioned, if cannabinoids are left in their natural state, cannabis-infused drinks would need to be shaken and then immediately consumed. It’s not unlike an oil-based salad dressing that has to be shaken before used. This is never ideal, however, since shaking a product can actually degrade it: carbonated drinks lose their bubbles, for example, or ingredients get unevenly distributed, making the drink taste funny, look cloudy and/or rendering it unable to provide a consistent dose of active ingredient(s). Furthermore, because the cannabinoids are still basically fat molecules which have been only temporarily suspended in a liquid, the body must still process them through the digestive system, a much longer process compared to that of water soluble cannabinoids dissolving directly into mouth, stomach and intestinal tissues. 

To solve the problem, manufacturers need to create water soluble cannabinoids via emulsification. Emulsification is the process by which normally immiscible substances are mixed together so that separation can’t occur. There are several different types of equipment that can facilitate emulsification, but the most effective and efficient one is a BEE International high pressure homogenizer. BEE stands for Best Emulsifying Equipment.  Our high pressure homogenizers create stable emulsions that guarantee water soluble cannabinoids for beverages each and every processing run.

The BEE International Advantage

Most emulsifying processing equipment utilizes only one or two forces to physically break apart and mix samples. BEE International high pressure homogenizers, however, utilize a combination of forces, including turbulence, shear, cavitation, impact and high pressure, that more forcibly reduces a sample’s particle size, creating larger surface areas to which bonding can occur. The result: shelf stable mixtures with increased potency and bioavailability. In addition, our patented mixing technology eliminates the need for pre-mixing and includes customizable options for the combination of forces, as well as the intensity and duration of operation, allowing manufacturers to manage the production of water soluble cannabinoids for beverages in the fewest amount of passes, saving them time and money.

To learn more about using BEE International homogenizers to create water soluble cannabinoids for beverages, please contact our team today.

You might also wish to download our free eBook, “3 Reasons Why High Pressure Homogenization Improves Cannabis Products” for additional information.

Cavitation is the rapid expansion and implosion of vapor-filled bubbles (or “cavities”) within a liquid substance. These cavities form when intense vibration within the liquid breaks its natural bonds and causes its ambient pressure to become lower than its vapor pressure. In many instances, cavitation is seen as a problem, causing functional changes in both natural and manmade processes that make reliable and consistent operational results impossible. In other cases, however, cavitation can be harnessed for specific manufacturing benefit, delivering products that are more effective — in both application and cost — than those made without it. Chemical engineers, for example, rely on cavitation to homogenize particles within colloidal suspensions, thus enabling them to create a wide range of chemical products including polymers, plastics, pigments, paints, pastes, pharmaceuticals and more! Read on to learn how cavitation is used in chemical engineering:

Cavitation is Used to Reduce Particle Size

In many (perhaps even most) chemical manufacturing processes, substances need to be mixed in order to be useful. Thus, first and foremost, cavitation is used in chemical engineering as a way to reduce particle size so that one substance can be more thoroughly combined with another one. Think about it: it’s a lot easier to combine small, uniform pieces than it is to combine large, various-sized ones!

Cavitation is Also Used to Improve Cohesion 

Furthermore, smaller particles mean more surface area; more surface area means more opportunities for particles to interact with one another; and more interaction ultimately yields better — i.e., tighter — cohesion. Because of this, the implosions caused during cavitation inception can be intentionally harnessed during chemically engineered product processing as a way to disrupt the natural bonds of a substance, creating products with a tight distribution of smaller particles that subsequently improve their consistency, viscosity, texture, appearance and even bioavailability (when applicable)!

Indeed, the uniformity of particle size and the cohesion it facilitates combine to provide enhanced product stability, ensuring more effective and a lot longer lasting products than those created in other ways.

The BEE International Advantage

In the chemical engineering world, cavitation isn’t just a problem to be avoided, eroding pumps and interfering with mechanical operations. On the contrary, cavitation can be used for advantage in many chemical manufacturing processes; intentionally initiating cavitation during production allows manufacturers the ability to create extremely effective, reliable and shelf-stable products. And if they use a BEE International high pressure homogenizer, the results can be further compounded. 

Want to Learn More?

Our proprietary emulsifying cell technology ensures the scalability and customizability of all types of chemical processing, benefits a lot of equipment used to induce cavitation on the market today can’t guarantee, as well as requires fewer passes of product to deliver maximum effect, saving companies time and money. Finally, the high pressure with which our homogenizers operate destroys potential pathogens, ensuring that all products made with our homogenizers are safe and free of biological contaminants. To learn more about the advantages of using BEE International high pressure homogenizers to induce cavitation during chemical processing, please contact us.

Mixing is an important part of many processes, affecting the quality of numerous man-made (and nature-made) products. In laboratory and manufacturing settings, mixing often determines the overall value of a product, as well; mixed inappropriately, a product could end up being useless, costing scientists and manufacturers alike a lot of wasted time and/or money and offering no significant or effective operational merit. Thus, it’s important to know the different types of mixtures and their associated benefits. In this post, we’re going to discuss colloidal solutions, a type of mixture wherein tiny particles of one substance (liquid, solid or gas) are suspended within another substance (liquid, solid or gas). Here’s what you need to know about colloidal solutions, including how they’re created and what their differences from other types of mixtures mean for the people who use them:

What is a Colloidal Solution?

Multiple kinds of mixtures exist (solutions, suspensions and colloids/dispersions) with each one involving a specific process for its creation. For this blog, we’ll consider a colloid mixture (also commonly called a “colloidal solution” or “colloidal dispersion”), which is a mixture of one substance into another such that neither can be separated from the other. However, unlike a true “solution,” a colloidal solution does not involve the dissolution of one substance into another. Instead, a colloidal solution is comprised of particles that are evenly distributed (but not dissolved) within a substance in such a way that they can not settle nor separate from the medium over time. The key to this type of mixture is ensuring that the substance being dispersed into the associated medium is broken into particles that are small enough that they can be — and will always remain — thoroughly mixed with the medium containing them. Mixtures that don’t remain combined are known as suspensions.

How to Create a Colloidal Solution

The first step in creating a colloidal solution is breaking apart the product to be dispersed into the medium. There are several ways to facilitate this process; chemicals can be used to break apart a product and/or physical force(s), such as agitation, stirring, pounding, grinding, etc. High pressure can also be used, and our team at BEE International believes that our high pressure homogenizers provide the best options on the market when it comes to particle size reduction for colloidal solutions. Our homogenizers combine a variety of forces (high pressure, shear, cavitation and impact) to ensure nano-sized particles result in the least number of passes. These extremely small particles are then able to be fully distributed throughout the medium, thereby effectively creating a colloid solution.

Why Colloid Solutions are Important

Colloids are valuable because they prohibit the separation of two otherwise immiscible products. The milk we drink; the paint we use; the makeup we wear; the drugs we take: these are all example of colloid solutions. Because very small particles have been mixed in just the right way, many of the foods, paints, polymers, pastes, cosmetics and pills (and more) that we consume are able to exist. Mixed properly, they are consistently more stable, lasting longer than they would otherwise, as well as more attractive, remaining fully combined so that they look and feel smooth and cohesive. When applicable, colloids are also better tasting with better bioavailability. These are all important benefits of colloidal solutions.

Want to Learn More?

Creating colloidal solutions is a critical process that affords us with many useful and vital products for everyday life. To effectively disperse products within a medium, manufacturers and scientists need reliable, effective equipment. We believe BEE International high pressure homogenizers (HPHs) offer the tightest distribution of the smallest sized particles in the least number of passes, making them the best option for the creation of colloidal solutions. To learn more about our HPHs and the advantages they offer for a variety of processes, please contact our team.

You might also wish to download our free eBook, "How to Achieve Efficient & consistent Particle Size Reduction,” for additional tips.

Approximately 50% - 90% of existing and potential new drugs are poorly soluble. It’s a statistic with dramatic implications, since poor solubility inhibits the absorption of a drug’s active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), which renders less beneficial effects for the patients who wish to use them and less profitable results for the companies that try to sell them. Recent advancements in pharmaceutical development processes, however, indicate that using high pressure homogenizers for nanomilling dramatically improves the bioavailability of active drug ingredients, thus benefiting individuals and drug companies alike. Take a look:

What is Nanomilling for Bioavailability?

Drugs work better when they have a large surface area available for solvation. Think about a sugar cube dissolving in a cup of tea: a crushed cube will diffuse throughout the cup quicker than a lump. In much the same way, a drug whose active particles have been reduced to their smallest uniform size will disperse throughout the body better than a drug with larger particles.   

Nanomilling, then, is the process by which an API is reduced to particles less than 1000 nm in size. It’s also called wet media milling, and can be effectuated via several different techniques, but we believe high pressure homogenizers (HPHs) offer the most advantages when nanomillling for bioavailability. Here’s why:

High Pressure Homogenizers Minimize Contamination

High pressure homogenizers apply constant pressure to a product to break it into uniformly-size pieces. Other types of particle size reducers (such as bead mills, for example) use an actual grinding material (i.e., beads) to the facilitate particle reduction, agitating this material along with the product so that the product itself breaks apart. We believe HPHs, particularly those with BEE International’s propreitary pressurized pumping system, are far superior to bead mills and other wet media milling technologies specifically because they don’t introduce any foreign materials into the particle reduction process — just high pressure and the active pharmaceutical ingredient —  thus, posing little to no risk for contamination.

High Pressure Homogenizers are Faster

High pressure homogenizers supply a very intense and focused energy that enables quicker particle reduction than other processing methods. They are also highly efficient, enabling optimal particle size in the fewest passes, saving valuable production time and getting drugs — that actually work! — more quickly into the hands of the patients who need them!

High Pressure Homogenizers Allow for Targeted Particle Reduction

Because BEE International’s HPHs utilize a modular system that combines pressure, shear, cavitation and impact, many different configurations can be set up, each according to the specification of the product at hand. This means operators can customize their processes so that the exact particle size needed is produced during each run.

High Pressure Homogenizers Are Consistent and Versatile

The unique combination of forces used in BEE International high pressure homogenizers produces a tighter, more uniform distribution of particles and can be used for both inline and batch processing.

High Pressure Homogenizers Yield Scalable Results

The most beneficial type of processing equipment allows operators the ability to progress from the laboratory to production with no loss of reliability or efficacy. High pressure homogenizers allow customization of the particle size reduction process according to product volume so that the chemical integrity of active ingredient(s) is always the same.

High Pressure Homogenizers Are Easy to Clean

Finally, unlike bead mills and other types of homogenizers, high pressure homogenizers do not require manual cleaning. Inline cleaning processes permit routine (and nearly) hands-free maintenance that is not available with other nanomilling options.

Want to Learn More?

Utilizing high pressure homogenizers for nanomilling for bioavailability enhancement allows companies to produce more effective drugs and people the opportunity to take them. To learn more about what makes BEE International high pressure homogenizers the superior choice when nanomilling for bioavailability enhancement, please contact our team today.

You might also wish to download our free eBook, “Advantages of BEE Homogenizers for the Pharmaceutical Industry,” for additional information.

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.

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.

When choosing a homogenizer for a particular application, it’s important to first understand the differences among solutions, colloids and suspensions. Each is a type of mixture, and a mixture is one of the end results of the homogenization process. Thus, picking the right homogenizer directly influences the quality of the mixture you create.

What are the Difference Among Solutions, Colloids and Suspensions?

A solution is a homogenous mixture where one substance (the solute) is completed dissolved into another (the solvent). Solutions can be a combination of any two phases (solid, liquid or gas), but they always result in a single, continuous one. A colloid, on the other hand, is a heterogenous mixture with particles that are bigger (1-1,000 nm) than those of a solution (<1 nm) but smaller than those in a suspension; because of their size, particles in a colloid do not allow light to pass through the mixture, instead scattering it back outward in a process known as the Tyndall Effect. They are not so big, however, that they aren’t able to stay fully mixed, with components unable to be separated by filtration, time or rest. Last, but not least, a suspension is also a heterogenous mixture. Its particles are bigger than those found in both solutions and colloids; they are so large, in fact, that gravity is able to pull them down and settle them at the bottom of the mixture when it’s not being actively mixed.

What Should You Look for in a Homogenizer for Colloidal Suspensions

Colloidal mills are a type of “rotor-stator” or “high shear“ mixer specifically designed to work with colloid suspensions. As such, their function is to reduce particle size so that two substances can be mixed together more easily. The shearing force of the spinning rotor effectively disrupts molecular bonds within a sample and reduces particle size. They are most often used for mixing together two liquids, a solid with a liquid and/or highly viscous materials. However, colloid mills can’t be run continuously because they consume large amounts of energy, which could potentially contaminate any resulting product mixture. Thus, instead of assuming that a colloid mill is the only option for use with colloidal suspensions, users should consider a homogenizer that affirms the following questions:

Does it Reduce Particle Size? ✔️

Does it Reduce the Number of Passes? ✔️

Does it Help Preserve the Product? ✔️

Unlike a colloidal mill, a homogenizer is better able to reduce particle size so that resulting mixtures are much more consistent and uniform. Indeed, we believe our high pressure homogenizers here at BEE International are the best option for colloidal suspensions because they utilize a proprietary combination of high pressure, shear, cavitation, turbulence and impact force to break down and blend samples without the violence and possible degradation of product that can be associated with a singular shear force. Furthermore, our machines can be customized to control the duration, intensity and dominant force used at every stage of the mixing process, making it less likely that multiple passes will be needed to get a desired result. This saves you time and money.

Finally, all homogenizers help preserve products since they facilitate a tight distribution of particles; a tighter distribution of particles means there is more stability, allowing components of a sample to stay bound for longer periods of time and, thus, engendering the improved viscosity, consistency, texture, appearance and flavor (when applicable), as well as the bioavailability, of the products being made. High pressure homogenizers like ours even kill harmful microbes that frequently jeopardize the colloid suspension’s shelf life and quality.

Want to Learn More?

Picking a homogenizer to use with colloidal suspensions is best determined by its ability to confer the most benefits. In addition to generating well mixed samples, a BEE International high pressure homogenizer offers tighter particle distribution, improved stability, better preservation and increased manufacturing productivity when compared to other types of homogenizers and mixers. Contact us to learn more.