Continuous-flow mechanical cell disintegrator.

A mechanical cell disintegrator is described which efficiently ruptures bacteria, molds, actinomycetes, and yeasts. Cells were broken continuously in a chamber by rapid shaking of a mixture of cell suspension, plastic beads, and air. Volume capacity for complete breakage varied with experimental conditions and the microorganism involved, and ranged from 840 ml/hr to greater than 4,470 ml/hr. Subcellular preparations made with the machine retained a high level of enzymatic activity.