Hair is a sample matrix that allows for non-invasive, fast and simple sampling. Small molecules including drug metabolites and hormones, proteins, and DNA can be extracted from hair samples from a wide variety of species. Extraction efficiency is low, so laboratories often turn to bead mill homogenization to reduce particle size prior to carrying out further sample preparation procedures.
The Omni Bead Ruptor Elite™ bead mill homogenizer has been used in labs around the world to increase extraction efficiency and semi-automate laboratory sample prep procedures related to hair analysis. These protocols provide starting points for optimizing a hair dry grinding procedure which can be used prior to downstream analysis by GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, DNA sequencing, and other methodologies. Up to 720 hair samples can be processed in only one hour using the Omni Bead Ruptor Elite bead mill homogenizer with 2 mL Tube Carriage Kit.
Figure 1: Image of sample before and after homogenization