Homogenizers No Comparison

Because they are used to process similar applications – albeit with dramatically different results – Microfluidizer high shear fluid processors are often associated with conventional homogenizers. In reality, the Microfluidics technology platform (highlighted by the fixed-geometry interaction chamber) generates a uniform shear field for particle size reduction and robust cell disruption, with repeatable and scalable results, not possible with even the most effective homogenizers.

Customer Success Story

Before being acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, biotechnology company Corixa undertook a comparative study to evaluate the performance and value of a Microfluidizer processor vs. an Avestin homogenizer in large-scale vaccine adjuvant production. Three batches of pre-emulsion material were produced and separated into halves for processing in each technology. Based on these data, Corixa switched from their existing homogenization equipment to a Microfluidics production environment. Read the entire case study.

	Average Particle Size			Polydispersity			Active Concentration			Filter Area Needed
	Data	Goal	Result	Data	Goal	Result	Data	Goal	Result	Data	Result
Microfluidizer Processor	141 nm (3 passes)	Less than 150 nm		0.5% > 200 nm	Less than 10% > 200 nm		1%loss	Less than 2% loss of actives		17cm2	Microfluidics required  38x less filter area
Avestin Homogenizer	185 nm (15 passes)			43% > 200 nm			15%loss			640cm2

Smaller Is Better

Microfluidizer processors generate unrivaled shear which is orders of magnitude higher than homogenizers. This results in significantly smaller average particle sizes. The below data were produced using a Microfluidizer processor and an Avestin homogenizer to process a liposome. The Microfluidizer processor achieved more than 50% smaller particles at every pass.

Under Pressure

One key advantages of the Microfluidizer processor is its ability to produce more uniform output as demonstrated by the liposome processing results below (left). This is because homogenizers operate at peak pressures for mere moments (approximately 7%) of each cycle (right), leading to wider deviations, less stable products and the need to run more passes or use higher pressures than should be required - potentially denaturing proteins during cell rupture and adding time, energy and cost to the production process. Conversely, Microfluidics technology generates consistent shear in order to produce reliable and repeatable results.

Polydispersity Post-Processing	Pressure Profiles

Anecdotally Speaking

Customers who have upgraded to Microfluidics technology routinely report the following observations on conventional homogenizers:

• Due to wide pressure variations, machine must be monitored and adjusted constantly during operation
• Often shut down due to an overdraw of current, even below maximum pressure
• Frequently plug when trying to process materials with high solid load content
• Are difficult to prime and typical work-around is unsafe and damages machine
• Proper startup requires five minutes - it is often bypassed, thus shortening machine component life

Learn More

Frustrated with your homogenizer? Trying to decide whether to invest in a Microfluidizer processor instead? Contact us for more comparative information relevant to your particular applicationm, requirements and goals.