The Mini-BeadBeater-24 disrupts microbial cells and plant and animal tissue by violently agitating four to twenty-four 2 ml screw-cap microvials containing small glass, ceramic, or steel beads and 0.1 to 1 ml disruption buffer. The performance of the Mini-BeadBeater equals or exceeds that of any other type or brand of cell disrupter. Even resistant samples like yeast, spores, or fibrous tissue are completely homogenized in 1-3 minutes. The non-foaming, aerosol-free method preserves enzymes and organelles. In the presence of nucleic acid extraction media such as phenol, Gu-SCN, or a commercial kit solution, DNA or RNA is recovered in the highest possible yield. The method is ideal for PAGE, PCR applications, and diagnostics using antibody or oligonucleotide probes. Because the beads and vials are disposable, there is no cross-contamination between samples – essential for PCR techniques.

Protocols developed using a different model of the Mini-BeadBeater are transferable with minimal modification.

The Mini-Beadbeater-24 can also be used for dry grinding. Here, steel beads are added to hard samples such as hair, bone, teeth, seeds, and minerals and are powdered in 10-60 seconds of operation. Resistant materials such as tendons, cartilage, rubber or some plastics can be powdered by pre-freezing the sample to liquid nitrogen temperatures (cryo-grinding), then grinding in the hard frozen state. Dry-grinding requires using special microvials resistant to breakage. BioSpec product’s “XX-Tuff” Microvials are recommended when dry grinding with ceramic or steel beads at room temperature.  Our Stainless Steel microvials are available for dry grinding with steel beads at cryo-temperatures.