5
$\begingroup$

I came across a method that used a vacuum centrifuge:

Carvalho et al. 2012. The diversity, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of endophytic fungi associated with the medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) from the Brazilian savannah. Symbiosis 57(2):95-107

Five-millimetre-diameter plugs of each filamentous endophytic fungus were inoculated into the centres of Petri dishes (60 mm diameter, 20 ml PDA). The plates were incubated at 25±2 °C for 15 days. The culture materials from each Petri dish were cut and transferred to 50-ml vial tubes containing 35 ml of ethanol (PA, ≥99.8 %, Vetec, Brazil). After 48 h at 10°C, the organic phase was decanted and the solvent was removed under a vacuum centrifuge at 35°C

I couldn't find information online as to whether a vacuum centrifuge is the same as a normal centrifuge. Is there a difference?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ It would be helpful if you shared a link or citation to the study $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    Mar 17, 2017 at 2:17
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Also, we would need to know what model centrifuge you have in your lab to definitively say whether it is the same as what is being described. $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    Mar 17, 2017 at 3:32
  • $\begingroup$ I presume they're trying to use a non-brand name for what everyone I know calls a SpeedVac. $\endgroup$
    – R.M.
    Mar 31, 2017 at 15:05

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
6
$\begingroup$

A "normal" centrifuge = piece of laboratory equipment, driven by a motor, which spins liquid samples at high speed to allow centripetal acceleration to separate substances of greater and lesser density.

Without further information regarding the method you read, a "vacuum" centrifuge might be a reference to one of the following:

  1. Ultracentrifuge

    • a centrifuge optimized for spinning a rotor at very high speeds.

    The vacuum ultracentrifuge was invented by Edward Greydon Pickels in the Physics Department at the University of Virginia. It was his contribution of the vacuum which allowed a reduction in friction generated at high speeds. Vacuum systems also enabled the maintenance of constant temperature across the sample, eliminating convection currents that interfered with the interpretation of sedimentation results

  2. Centrifugal evaporator

    • device used in chemical and biochemical laboratories for the efficient and gentle evaporation of solvents from many samples at the same time.

    The system works by lowering the pressure in the centrifuge system [via a vacuum pump] - as the pressure drops so does the boiling point of the solvent(s) in the system.

    The centrifugal force generated by spinning the centrifuge rotor creates a pressure gradient within the solvent contained in the tubes or vials, this means that the samples boil from the top down, helping to prevent "bumping".

    Use a combination of centrifugal force, vacuum and heat to speed evaporation of multiple small samples. They offer maximum throughput required by biology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical research and analytical chemistry laboratories

UPDATE: Based on updated info from the OP quoting the method of the paper, it sounds like they're most likely talking about using a centrifugal evaporator to remove solvent.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ "Five-millimetre-diameter plugs of each filamentous endophytic fungus were inoculated into the centres of Petri dishes (60 mm diameter, 20 ml PDA). The plates were incubated at 25±2 °C for 15 days. The culture materials from each Petri dish were cut and transferred to 50-ml vial tubes containing 35 ml of ethanol (PA, ≥99.8 %, Vetec, Brazil). After 48 h at 10 °C, the organic phase was decanted and the solvent was removed under a vacuum centrifuge at 35 °C (Santiago et al. 2012)." $\endgroup$
    – Emil Joson
    Mar 18, 2017 at 3:10
  • $\begingroup$ from "The diversity, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of endophytic fungi associated with the medicinal plant Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) from the Brazilian Savannah." 2012 paper by Carvalho et al. $\endgroup$
    – Emil Joson
    Mar 18, 2017 at 3:11
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Emil Thanks. So follow these steps: 1. Add the pertinent parts of this info to your question (not just in the comments). 2. Go to the references section of Carvalho paper; Locate Santiago et al. 2012 citation, search for it on Google Scholar, and see if they have more info. Update w/ that too. $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    Mar 18, 2017 at 3:32
  • $\begingroup$ @tomd thanks for the info! I really knew little about the history of centrifuges before writing this answer (and now seeing your references). I also found a good "story" that walks through the history of the centrifuge. I'll paraphrase some major quotes from it in a subsequent comment. $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    Mar 29, 2017 at 14:56
  • $\begingroup$ "In 1926 Svedberg received a Nobel Prize for the invention of the ultracentrifuge. Svedbergs ultracentrifuge, however, was essentially an analytical instrument. The transition from these analytical instruments to modern preparative ultracentrifuges came through the efforts of Emile Henriot, who achieved high rotation speeds using a bearingless top, driven & supported by compressed air. Edward Pickels & Johannes Bauer build the first high-speed vacuum centrifuge suitable for the study of filterable viruses. Later, Pickels developed the more convenient, electrically driven ultracentrifuge. $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    Mar 29, 2017 at 14:59

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .