Bead beating can be performed in a variety of vessels, including tubes, vials and plates.
OPS Diagnostics' grinding vials are self-standing and have a re-enforced flat bottom to prevent cracking of the base during homogenization.
Considerations when selecting a grinding vessel
- Vial Composition: Polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene (PE) are available for 4 ml vials.
- Sample Properties: Most temperature sensitive samples require cryogenic grinding.
- Sample volume/ amount: Over or under filling vessels can lead to inefficient homogenization and damage the vessel.
- Homogenizer: Not all homogenizers can take different vials sizes.
See the table below for general overview on the different vial options.
For a more in depth comparison please visit our, Selecting Grinding Vials for Sample Homogenization page.
| 4 ml Grinding Vial | 15 ml Grinding Vial | ||
| Characteristics | |||
| Material | PE | PC | PC |
| Dimensions (in) | 0.5 x 2 | 0.5 x 2 | 1.125 x 1.667 |
| Bottom | Flat | Flat | Flat re-enforced |
| Working volume | 0.5-2 ml | 0.5-2 ml | 2-8 ml |
| Autoclavable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cryogenic Capability | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding Media | 1 x 3/8" ball | 1 x 3/8" ball | 2 x 7/16" balls |
| Usage | Use as an alternative to PC | Solvents can melt PC | |
| Samples | |||
| Plant Tissue | 100-200 mg | 100-200 mg | Up to 1 gm |
| Seeds |
≤ 500 mg(kernel not recommended) |
≤ 500 mg (1 kernel) | ≤ 4 gm (≈10 kernels) |
| Animal Tissue | 100-200 mg | 100-200 mg | Up to 2 gm |