How to Match Your Needs and Maximize Results With the Right Laminar Flow Hood?

 

One can identify laminar flow hoods by several other names like laminar flow workstation, laminar flow cabinets or clean benches. However, the functionality of the equipment remains same. They are one of the essential tools used in laboratories to maintain an aseptic environment in different applications. Whether it is laminar air flow used in microbiology or electronics assembly, you will come across different types of equipment and features. So, you might feel overwhelmed when choosing the right hood. That is why we have compiled this guide for you to streamline critical processes in the laboratory and avoid contamination in the PCR application samples.

How to choose a suitable laminar air flow hood?

Are you are working in a laboratory and searching for a laminar air flow hood? Need equipment that fits your requirements perfectly? Well, you must be familiar with how crucial is this equipment for maintaining a sterile environment. Moreover, you should be well-versed with methods to contain infectious material that several microbiological procedures produce.

Now, laminar air flow indicates that the movement of air in the same direction at a uniform speed. There is minimal or no instance of air streams crossing over. Most biological laboratories that report sensitivity to contamination need laminar flow hoods to ensure that that particles move from the cleanest area below the hood to the exit area. To maintain a germ-free environment in the laboratory, you must choose a suitably designed flow hood.

How a laminar air flow hood works?

Before moving ahead to choose the right laminar air flow hood that matches your need, here is a brief account of how it works:

• The flow hood comprises a fan, a filter pad, and a HEPA filter
• The fan pulls air through the filter pad to pin down dust
• The air that is freed from dust now moves through the HEPA filter and removes bacteria, fungi, and other contaminating particles from the air
• Finally, sterilized and pure air flows across the work area and allow you to complete your flasking without worrying about contamination.

However, to truly maintain a sterile environment in your workstation, the HEPA filter on the hood need to eliminate all the air-borne particles. At the same time, the air speed in there must be around one-half m/s. If you fail to pick the right kind of design of the flow hood, it will reduce the overall quality and effectiveness of the flow hood. Moreover, it should have a high-quality filter for improved functionality.

Types of flow directions

You are familiar with the basic functionality and the advantages of laminar air flow hood. While the equipment needs to come fitted with high-quality parts, there are other parameter based on which you need to decide which airflow hood is a perfect fit for your workstation. The flow direction is one of the crucial determinants to help you decide the right equipment for your needs.  Explore here to know more about the air flow:

• Horizontal air flow

Horizontal flow indicates that the air moves from the back of the work area to the front. It provides the highest protection to the culture when air flows to the personnel. On the other hand, the personnel get maximum protection when the air flows to the culture. Now, let’s dive into the pros and cons of horizontal flow to know if it is a good fit for your needs:

Advantages:

• Minimal impact of turbulence or air striking on the work surface
• The gloves, hand, and other safety tools are less likely to be contaminated due to downstream of the sample
• It’s easier to position the equipment due to absence of sash

Disadvantages

• Air flows toward the personnel directly
• You may have to reposition the laminar air flow hood to avail rear access
• Fumes or powders often flow into the personnel’s face
• When working with larger samples, airflow can be obstructed and samples downstream may be contaminated

 

• Vertical air flow

In the vertical flow, air moves from the top of the area of work and down to the bottom and exits through the holes in the base. It is a good option if you are trying to safeguard your cultures and laboratory personnel. Here are the pros and cons explained:

Advantages

• Less floor space consumed due to low depth of the hood
• Easier to safeguard laboratory personnel as air does blow on to them directly and a sash in the front of the operator’s face acts as the barrier
• Air turbulence does not impact the object and processing equipment
• Filter is located on the top of the unit makes it more accessible when changing the filters
• Can be easily used during compounding of aseptic products

Disadvantages

• Using a step ladder may be necessary when changing the filter or maintenance to meet overhead clearance needs
• Cannot hinder airflow by placing items or hands on top of others
• Due to air striking on the work surface, the impact of turbulent air flow is maximum

Which laminar air flow hood should you choose?

Choosing the right air flow hood depends on nature of your laboratory operation. Therefore, you can pick a horizontal laminar flow hood when you need minimal airflow turbulence on the work surface, laboratory items are small, and you need to control contamination at the highest level. On the other hand, the vertical air flow hood is more appropriate when the equipment used on the work surface consists of larger items, there is likelihood of fine powders, and you need a taller and larger workspace.

To buy laminar air flow hood customised for your needs, stop at https://www.igenels.com/ and meet your working demands satisfactorily.

Bead Beater Vs High Pressure Homogenization: Which Method Should You Choose For Your Specific Needs?

 

The homogenisation technique is a fast-growing field and plays a crucial role in varied industries like pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech, cosmetic, and food. Wondering what it does? It involves mixing, blending, emulsifying, and finally dispersing or disrupting the sample particles to change their size and ensure that results are consistent.

When categorising homogenisation, you will come across three categories like ultrasonic homogenisation, high pressure homogenisation, and bead beater homogenisation, in reality, most of them fall into the category of high pressure and beater beating homogenisers. So, you need to learn the differences between these two categories so that you can pick the right one that suits your needs.

 

Bead beating homogeniser – things to know

You are aware that homogenisation is a significant step in various industrial and scientific procedures. From cell disruption to sample preparation and reducing the sample size, you can choose between bead beating and high pressure homogeniser. That’s why you need to understand the differences between these two homogenisation techniques to find out which one is more suitable for different applications. Let’s begin with the bead beater tissue homogeniser and understand what it involves:

Bead beating homogenisation uses a grinding media or beads. In this method, the sample is placed in a vessel or tube with the beads and the mixture is vigorously agitated using the bead beater. As the beads combine with the sample, an impact or mechanical force acts upon it, leading to the breakdown of particles or cells. It is an excellent technique for processing samples of tissues to be used for R&D or laboratories. The reasons why a bead beater homogeniser is preferred is its consistent and quick performance.  However, it might not work for large sample sizes as it operates within a closed system. Read here to know when you must choose this method:

• Bead beating homogenisation is a highly effective method for processing several samples in one go.
• The process occurs within a closed tube or vessel, reducing the chances of aerosol creation and limited user exposure
• As the samples are disrupted using a combination of bead and tube, the risk of cross-contamination can be reduced greatly
• The technique is most appropriate for samples containing infectious, toxic, and hazardous substances.
• Beads of different sizes are used based on the applications
• The bead beating technique is a highly effective method for extracting smaller molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, recovering live cells, and extracting dissociate tissues.
• Large beads are suitable for breaking down dense samples whereas smaller beads are just right for cellular components.

 

Why use bead beater homogeniser?

Here is why you must use a bead beating technique for homogenising samples:

1. Bead beating technique can be used for processing solid and liquid samples
2. As it can process several samples at a given time, the method is suitable for high intake usage
3. You can choose from different types of beads based on the application of bead beater homogenizer colony
   
4. Closed tubs reduce the risk of cross-contamination and reduces the risk of aerosol formation
5. A few units can be suitably used for hazardous and infectious materials, which increase the application for which the technology is used.
6. Bead beating process can be performed using various solutions and buffers, making it just right for different applications

 

Disadvantages of bead beater homogeniser

• Bead beater homogenisers are good for managing small samples as each tube can only hold a few grams or millilitres of samples
• As the process involves vigorous shaking, small amounts of bead materials often move to the sample
• The process often creates a lot of noise
• A few models may need proprietary tubes, which increases the costs in the long run, especially for high intake applications
• Generates heat due to friction between sample and beads
• Samples often stick to the tube walls or beads, causing loss during the process of homogenisation
• It is not suitable for large-scale applications

 

High pressure homogenisation: what you need to know

 The high pressure homogeniser is a technique where liquid samples move in a  narrow channel under high pressure conditions. When high pressure and shear force is applied to samples, the efficiency of disruption improves greatly. Besides, the process brings in additional forces, resulting in better emulsification of the product.

High pressure homogenisers are appropriate for handling large applications compared to bead homogenisers. Different units have different capacities and features, resulting in better homogenisation.

 

Advantages of high pressure homogenisers

1. High pressure homogenisers are just right for processing large-sized liquid samples
2. With them, disruption of the smallest size of samples can be made possible
3. You can keep feeding various samples into the unit continuously into the unit, which may mean that there is no limitation in terms of sample sizes
4. Due to the flexibility of the procedure high pressure homogenisation is the best technique to be used for a higher range of applications
5. They have cooling systems for controlling temperature during the homogenisation process

 

Disadvantages of high pressure homogenisers

Despite its potential for homogenisation of large liquid samples, high pressure homogenisation technique has a fair share of disadvantages.

• Unlike bead beater homogenisers these units are not capable of handling various samples at the same time and consistently, making it less efficient for high intake applications
• These units are heavy and moving them around the laboratory is difficult
• High pressure homogenisers take longer to clean
• These units are generally more expensive and can be only used for processing large samples
• They may not be suitable for processing highly viscous samples due to equipment limitations

So, here is a snapshot of bead beating and high pressure techniques used for homogenisation of samples in the laboratory. To buy the best-quality industrial, research, and academic laboratory equipment, stop at https://www.igenels.com/  to meet your working demands.