Notes on the protocol: This protocol does not specify a particular buffer - you may choose which is most appropriate for your downstream application (nucleic acid isolation, protein extraction, etc.).
Materials Required
uL
One of these Bullet Blenders
Bullet Blender 5E (BBY5E)
Bullet Blender 5 Gold (BB5E-AU)
Reagents
Homogenization buffer
2 x volume of sample
Bead choices
5.6 mm stainless steel UFO beads (SSUFO56) use 6 beads
Procedure
Select a 3-4 cm. long section of stem. Cross-cut into pieces approx. 1 cm. long
Place the sample in the tube with the beads.
Add a volume of buffer that is twice the volume of the sample. Sample volume may be approximated by sample weight. E.g., for a 100 mg. sample, add 0.2 ml. buffer.
Close the tubes tightly and place them in the Bullet Blender.
Set the controls for Speed 12 and Time 5. Press Start.
After the machine completes the first 5 minute run, press the start button again to repeat the step.
After the run, remove the tubes from the instrument and visually inspect the samples. If homogenization is incomplete, homogenize for another 5 minutes.