Bead milling for cell disruption
Wahal specializes in Bead milling which is a mechanical method used to disrupt the cell walls of microorganisms like spirulina.1 It involves agitating a mixture of spirulina and small beads at high speed.2 The collisions and shear forces generated by the beads break down the cell walls, releasing the intracellular components.3
Here’s how Wahal bead mills affects spirulina:
Effects:
- Increased bioavailability: By breaking down the tough cell walls of spirulina, bead milling improves the digestibility and absorption of its nutrients, making them more available to the body.4
- Enhanced extraction: Bead milling facilitates the extraction of valuable compounds from spirulina, such as phycocyanin (a pigment with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties), proteins, and lipids.
- Improved functionality: Bead milling can alter the physical properties of spirulina, such as particle size and surface area, which can enhance its functionality in food and other applications. For example, it can improve the texture and dispersibility of spirulina in beverages.
Mechanism:
The mechanism of cell disruption in bead milling involves several forces:
- Shear forces: These forces are generated by the movement of the beads and the fluid in the milling chamber, causing the cells to rupture.5
- Impact forces: The collisions between the beads and the cells cause direct damage to the cell walls.6
- Grinding: Cells can also be ground between the beads, leading to their disruption.7
Factors influencing bead milling:
The effectiveness of bead milling depends on several factors, including:
- Bead size and material: Smaller beads generally result in higher disruption rates. The choice of bead material (e.g., glass, ceramic, steel) affects the efficiency and cost of the process.
- Agitation speed: Higher speeds increase the energy input and disruption rate, but excessive speed can generate heat and damage the product.
- Bead loading: The ratio of beads to spirulina affects the efficiency of the process.
- Milling time: Longer milling times generally lead to higher disruption rates, but prolonged milling can also cause degradation of the product.
- Temperature control: Maintaining optimal temperature is crucial to prevent damage to heat-sensitive compounds in spirulina.