The particle reduction that the homogenization process creates, enhances the well-known product benefits that a wide range of industries takes advantage of.
The dairy industry is more likely to be generally associated with this process. Starting from probiotics and flavored milk, it positively affects agglomeration, combining granular particles together and obtaining a composite matrix which optimizes digestion and assimilation of nutritional properties, ensuring low microbial presence and long physical stability. When used to process cheese, yogurt and ice cream, homogenization prevents disagglomeration (the division of small cells which would tend to agglomerate); when used to process whole milk and cream, it improves shelf life and performance, reducing particle size and stabilizing emulsions.
Many of the same benefits that homogenization bring to the dairy industry also attract the interest of customers in different sectors, when combined with other specific advantages. By preserving taste, quality and mouth feel, besides reducing the amount of solids, proteins and additives, our technology appeals to another renowned industry, that of Food & Beverages. Baby food, fruit juices, ketchup and mayonnaise are just a few examples of all the edible products whose quality can be enhanced in through the process of homogenization.
Even when employed using different methods depending on the product characteristics, homogenization is also well known in non-food applications, such as the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Chemical, and Home & Personal Care industries. Breaking up cells mechanically is among the most effective methods for the treatment of many substances, as well as the best alternative to the use of lysing agents. For example, it is ideal when processing vaccines and seeking to maximize the clinical efficacy of active ingredients.
In the manufacture of pigments and colors, the grinding process of homogenization helps to increase the intensity, brightness and uniformity of industrial paints, nail enamels and hair colors. The resizing of particles is also a key factor for nutraceuticals, intravenous solutions and vaccines, positively affecting absorption in the organism, with better active ingredient dispersion and chemical product mixing.
Last but not least, the changes in physical structure produced by passing through the homogenizing valve, are largely useful for defibrillation and nanocellulose processing, particularly as regards fibers in suspension exposed to high compression and friction stresses, and high shear stresses in particular.