Disintegration of Cells
When the product is available inside the cultured microbial cells, these cells need to be disrupted for the release of the desired product. This disruption is often difficult due to small size of cells, strong cell wall and high osmotic pressure inside the cells. The disruption is achieved (i) mechanically (by grinding in a mill or due to pressure in a homogenizer or by ultrasound) or by (ii) drying (by adding excess of cold acetone) followed by extraction (with the help of buffer or salt solution ) or by (iii) lysis (by adding salts or surfactants, osmotic shock, freezing or by lylic enzymes like Lysozyme). Best results are achieved through enzymatic lysis ultrasound