What Does homogenize Mean
Homogenize is a verb that refers to making something homogeneous : that is, uniform . This action usually consists of the use of chemical or physical resources in a mixture made up of different substances.
The notion of homogenizing, moreover, can refer to arrange, balance or level the elements of a sector or group in particular . In this way, they seek to unify characteristics.
Samples are usually homogenized before certain analyzes
Examples and applications
For example: “The national government intends to standardize the data provided by each province before making a decision” , “The activities that are being carried out must be standardized so that it is possible to combine the intervention criteria” , “The president intends homogenize the thinking of the population and we are not going to allow it ” .
The processes that aim to homogenize are developed in multiple areas. The biology , the chemistry , the agriculture and food , to name a few sciences and disciplines, resort to homogenization to obtain a mixture acquires the same features or properties in all of the substance .
Heterogeneous is the opposite of homogeneous. While the homogeneous is uniform and presents similar or integrated phases, the heterogeneous is diverse and shows its different phases.
In cell rupture
The fields of biochemistry and biology take advantage of homogenization for the disintegration and rupture of cells , seeking to affect the plasma membrane as little as possible. To break the cell it is possible to use one of the following three mechanisms:
* use liquids to produce shear forces;
* use solids with the same objective of the previous point;
* start a gaseous cavitation mechanism (create vapor cavities inside a body of water) to achieve the forces.
Homogenization of food products
Take the case of the homogenization of milk . In this case, homogenizing means making the whole milk pass through very small nozzles, spraying it under pressure . This shrinks the fat globules until obtaining a cream that becomes inseparable. The homogenization of the milk causes that, due to the changes in the fat globules, the liquid is white and not somewhat yellowish as it was before the process.
Mortar: one of the oldest homogenizers
Another change that we notice between natural milk and that which has undergone a homogenization process is that in the latter it is not so likely that a layer of cream will form. Returning to the color of this product, it is directly linked to the size of the fat globules. This is because they cause the phenomenon known as light scattering : a ray of white light passes through a medium that causes refraction, so that when it comes out it exhibits the colors that compose it.
In the case of ice cream, which is also prepared with milk in a large number of cases, homogenization produces an increase in the body and viscosity of the cream , which results in a more attractive presentation for the public.
The homogenizer
In every laboratory that carries out a homogenization product, there must be an element called a homogenizer . Its characteristics depend on the specific discipline and the objectives of the process, which can point to the treatment of food, plants or tissues, among other possibilities. To prepare biological samples , for example, certain analyzes and studies are usually applied in advance.
One of the most widely used types of homogenizer since ancient times is the mortar with a mallet . On the other hand we have more modern devices, such as crushers, blade mills and ultrasonic machines for high pressure treatments. Each instrument offers a different efficacy depending on the material to be treated.