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Mixer Mill MM 400 A true multipurpose mill

Mixer Mill MM 400
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The Mixer Mill MM 400 is a true multipurpose mill designed for dry, wet and cryogenic grinding of small volumes up to 2 x 20 ml. It mixes and homogenizes powders and suspensions with a frequency of 30 Hz within seconds – unbeatably fast and easy to operate.

The compact benchtop unit is suitable for classic homogenization processes, as well as for biological cell disruption for DNA/RNA and protein extraction. Long processing times up to 99 hours make the MM 400 ideally suited for research applications, for example in mechanochemistry.

With regard to performance and flexibility of this mill, there is no equivalent technology available in the market.

You may also be interested in the mixer mill models MM 500 nano and MM 500 vario which operate with the same functional principle at a frequency of 35 Hz but provide substantially higher performance. For applications which require cooling or heating the sample, the Mixer Mill MM 500 control is the perfect choice. Each RETSCH mixer mill has a specific application focus.

"We use the MM 400 to homogenize muscle, skin, liver, whole invertebrate samples prior to stable isotope and fatty acid analysis. It's fast and does a consistently thorough job of homogenizing samples. The machine has been heavily used with no mechanical issues."

Bruno Rosenberg

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

"Great for homogenous powdering of tissue samples whilst frozen"

Kristen Cooke

University of Sydney

"Perfect for preparing soil and plant material for isotope analysis."

David Mitchem

Virginia Tech

"The world's most effective instrument in medical technology. "

Muhammad Naveed

First Global Link

"I am happy to use MM 400 for my live laboratory. It would be specified as a standard machine for XRF marketplaces. "

Gye Ryoung Lee

Gachon University

"As always, excellent machine, easy to operate and user friendly. Fast milling to desired particulate size."

Hanna Kaliada

Vivex Biologics, Inc.

"This is the best ball mill I have ever used. Very easy to operate and handle."

Xinle Li
Clark Atlanta University

"I have used this machine in IISER Kolkata, India. It's very efficient, handy and convenient. It's worth buying it."

Surojit Bhunia

Northwestern University

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Performance and Design

  • Powerful size reduction and homogenization by impact and friction with up to 30 Hz
  • Equipped with 2 grinding stations for up to 20 samples per run
  • Memory for 12 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and 6 program cycles
  • Convenient touch display, significant noise reduction

Unmatched versatility

  • 3 different grinding modes:  dry, wet or cryogenic
  • Mixes powdered sample and binder in plastic vessels prior to pelletizing, e. g. for XRF analysis
  • Suitable for research applications such as mechanochemistry or for biological cell disruption by bead beating 
  • Extraction of pesticides (QuEChERS) and herbal ingredients

Mixer Mill MM 400 Calibration ensures reproducible results

Reproducibility is paramount in the process chain from sampling to analysis. Lab equipment which can be calibrated guarantees reproducible results with minimum standard deviation every time. This is particularly useful when comparing results produced at different locations.

The MM 400 is the first laboratory mill which can be calibrated. RETSCH initially calibrates time and frequency of the mill and offers a regular calibration service to ensure reproducible milling processes.

This functionality is particularly suitable for

  • Testing labs with different locations
  • Accredited labs applying ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 9000ff
  • Pharmaceutical products

Mixer Mill MM 400 Reproducibility of mechanochemical reactions in the Mixer Mill MM 400

Reproducibility is a fundamental principle of scientific research and is essential for ensuring the credibility and reliability of scientific findings. The Mixer Mill MM 400 was tested regarding the reproducibility within a mechanochemical reaction, and it could be proven that it provides excellent reproducibility during several repetitions, for both clamping positions, and also between different devices. [5]

Minor variations of the frequency from 30 Hz to 29 Hz or 28 Hz have an influence on the yield of the reaction. It is of fundamental interest that the mixer mill maintains a set value, e.g. 30 Hz, and does not deviate from it. A premise which is fulfilled by the MM 400 which comes with a calibration certificate.

The mechanochemical reaction γ-Al2O3 + ZnO -> ZnAl2O4 was conducted for 30 min using 25 ml grinding jars, 2 x 15 mm grinding balls, 1 g educts, at 28 Hz, 29 Hz and 30 Hz five times in a row. The comparison between left and right clamping station showed highly reproducible results, also the comparison between the 5 trials.

XRD patterns after the mechanochemical reaction γ-Al2O3 + ZnO -> ZnAl2O4: Left: Grinding at 28 Hz, 29 Hz and 30 Hz, results after 5th reaction. Middle: Comparison left and right grinding station at 28 Hz 5th reaction each. Right: Reaction 1 to 5 at 30 Hz, right grinding station. Results presented by the group of Claudia Weidenthaler. [9]

The experiments were repeated using another MM 400 device to compare the results between the two mills. Again, the excellent reproducibility was verified for the 5 tests conducted at 30 Hz, for both, left and right grinding station.

Almost identical results (weight % of educts and product) and reproducibility are obtained with a different MM 400 device. Results presented by the group of Claudia Weidenthaler. [9]

Mixer Mill MM 400 Solutions for biological applications and cell disruption

Mixer mills are frequently used for homogenizing biological samples. The so-called bead beating with small glass beads is an established method for cell disruption of yeasts, microalgae or bacteria. The sample is only moderately warmed in the process which can be reduced to a minimum by pre-cooling.

The MM 400 allows for efficient cell disruption of up to 240 ml cell suspension for DNA/RNA and protein extraction. For accurate diagnosis of infections, it is possible to isolate intact bacteria from tissue in 8 x 30 ml bottles or 10 x 5 ml vials by using adapters.

The MM 400 can be operated with a range of adapters for single-use vials with the following capacities:

20 x 0.2 ml / 20 x 1.5 or 2 ml / 10 x 5 ml / 8 x 30 ml / 8 x 50 ml

For the pulverization of 25 to 30 g plant material, such as cannabis flower, conical centrifuge tubes are best suited. Up to 8 tissue samples, like fresh liver in buffer solution, can also be homogenized in these 50 ml tubes using steel or zirconium oxide balls. To keep the mechanical stress on the vials as low as possible, a reduced frequency and a high filling level, e. g. with buffer and sample, are recommended.

 

Mixer Mill MM 400 - Solutions for biological applications and cell disruption

Mixer Mill MM 400 - Yeast Cell Disruption*

*The video shows the previous model with identical functional principle.

Mixer Mill MM 400 - Homogenization of cannabis*

The CryoKit is a cost-effective solution for cryogenic sample processing with the Mixer Mill MM 400. The set consists of two insulated containers, two tongs and safety glasses.

The sample to be embrittled and the grinding ball are filled into the stainless-steel grinding jar which is tightly screwed. Indirect embrittlement is effected by pre-cooling the jar in a liquid nitrogen bath. After approximately 2 minutes, the sample is sufficiently cooled for cryogenic processing.

If direct contact with liquid nitrogen is to be avoided, the CryoMill or Mixer Mill MM 500 control are suitable options. Both mills can be operated with jars made of other materials than steel for cryogenic grinding.

Vials, bottles and tubes available for MM 400

Mixer Mill MM 400 Recommended jar fillings

The jar size should be adapted to the sample volume to ensure optimum results. Ideally, the grinding balls are 3 times the size of the largest sample piece. The numbers and sizes of balls given in the table below follow this rule of thumb. To pulverize, for example, 20 ml of a sample consisting of 8-mm sized particles, the use of a 50 ml jar and 25 mm balls is recommended. According to the table, one grinding ball is required. 20 ml of a sample with 5-mm particles, however, can be homogenized with four 15 mm balls.

Fibrous: Hair

 hair

30 ml sample
50 ml stainless steel jar
1 x 25 mm stainless steel ball
2 min at 30 Hz

Cell disruption: Microalgae

cell disruption

30 ml cell suspension
8 x 50 ml conical centrifuge tubes (adapter)
with 25 ml glass beads each; 0,5-0,75 mm
30 s at 30 Hz

Elastic-Liquid:
Capsules with liquid

capsules

15 ml sample
50 ml stainless steel jar
1 x 25 mm stainless steel ball
embrittlement in LN2 for 3 min
4 x 2 min at 30 Hz with intermediate cooling

Medium-hard/ fibrous: soil

soil

20 ml sample
50 ml stainless steel jar
1 x 25 mm stainless steel ball
1 min at 30 Hz

Tough-Fibrous: Wood

5 ml sample
10 ml zirconium oxide jar
2 x 12 mm zirconium oxide balls
3 min at 30 Hz

Elastic-tough:
Polyurethane Pellets

20 ml sample
50 ml stainless steel jar
1 x 25 mm stainless steel ball
embrittlement in LN2 for 3 min
4 x 2 min at 30 Hz with intermediate cooling

Fibrous: Cannabis

3 g sample
50 ml stainless steel jar
1 x 25 mm stainless steel ball
embrittlement with LN2 for 2 min
90 s at 30 Hz

Hard-Brittle: Concrete

10 ml sample
25 ml zirconium oxide jar
2 x 15 mm zirconium oxide balls
2 min at 30 Hz

To find the best solution for your sample preparation task, visit our application database.

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Citations

Our instruments are recognized as the benchmark tools for a wide range of application fields in science and research. This is reflected by the extensive citations in scientific publications. Feel free to download and share the articles provided below.

Mixer Mill MM 400 Functional Principle

The grinding jars of the mixer mill MM 400 perform radial oscillations in a horizontal position. The inertia of the grinding balls causes them to impact with high energy on the sample material at the rounded ends of the  jars and pulverize it. Also, the movement of the jars combined with the movement of the balls result in the intensive mixing of the sample.

The degree of mixing can be increased even further by using several smaller balls. If several small balls are used (e.g. glass beads) then, for example, biological cells can be disrupted. The large frictional impact effects between the beads ensure effective cell disruption.

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