method for automatic preparation of cell suspensions from existing samples for purposes of subsequent determination of intra - and / or extracellular substances by a successive treatment of a majority of samples continuously

摘要

Automatic determination of intra- and/or extra-cellular materials takes place by using an automatic disintegration system and an integrated centrifuging step. The process comprises: (1) charging a homogeneous sample from a cell suspension, via a 3-way valve, into the non-sterile phase, de-flocking, de-gassing and opt. sepg. larger particles; (2) instantaneously inactivating all or certain enzymes of sample; (3) solubilising contents to be determined, either mechanically, or thermally, or chemically, or physically; (4) subjecting the suspension to a solid-liquid sepn. by a periodically operated zonal centrifuge. The sepn. comprises changing the centrifuge; centrifuging; removing the liq. phase after standstill of centrifuge; re-suspension of the solid phases by spraying a liq. phase at a reduced centrifugal speed and discharging this phase after standstill; and then qualitative or quantitative determination of material obtd. in soln. Process can be applied to extracellular materials, e.g. antibiotics or enzymes, and intracellular materials, e.g. metabolites, enzymes, nucleic acids and inorganic materials. A fully automated process allows quick sample removal and prepn. and can be effected with great accuracy. Growth and prod. formation can be controlled.