Disintegration of Cells - Disruption of microbial cells is usually difficult due to their small size, strong cell wall and high osmotic pressure inside cells. Generally, cell disruption is achieved by mechanical means, lysis or drying.

Mechanical Cell Disruption
This approach uses shear, e.g., grinding in a ball mill, colloid mill, etc., pressure and pressure release, e.g., homogenizer, and ultrasound. A. widely used method is as follows: the cell suspension is forced through a fine nozzle; the cells disintegrate due to hydrodyanamic shear and cavitation.