Centrifugation - Definition, Applications of Centrifugation with FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:53 PM IST

The technique you used for the separation of mixtures with the help of a centrifugal force is called centrifugation. The machine that is used for the purpose of centrifugation is a centrifuge machine and is a device that is working based on an electric motor that provides rotational movement around a fixed axis. The principle behind the working of the centrifuge machine is the principle of sedimentation.

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Centrifuge machine
The centrifuge or centrifuge machine
Applications of centrifugation

Sedimentation is the movement of particles in the gravitational force. According to this principle, substances are separated based on their density in the influence of the gravitational force acting on them. The centrifugation process can be undertaken only the dispersed material that is to be separated must be denser than the medium in which it is present.

Ultrafiltration, density gradient, phase separation, isopycnic, pelleting, etc. are different types of centrifugation methods. Among these techniques used pelleting is the very common one and for this type of process, the particles are concentrated as a pellet in the bottom of the centrifuge tube, and thereby it is separated from the solution. In the phase separation technique used the chemicals present on them were converted from a matrix.

In ultrafiltration technique used it is used for the separation of macromolecules with the help of a membrane. With the help of a self-generating density gradient that is established through the equilibrium sedimentation, isopycnic centrifugation is done. Centrifuge machine works based on the relative centrifugal force and the degree of acceleration in multiples of the gravitational force.

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Centrifuge diagram

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Centrifuge machine

The centrifuge machine or Centrifuge definition can be given as an instrument that is used in the process of centrifugation is the centrifuge machine and is invented by the scientist Antonin Prandtl in 1864. And the first centrifuge machine was used in the dairy industry for the separation of cream from milk on a large scale. Later many scientists applied the centrifuge machine in the laboratory field and in 1869 Meischer successfully isolated nucleic acids from the white blood cells which is a very important development for the discovery of DNA inheritance. Later in the 1920s Swedish chemist, Swedberg discovered the ultracentrifuge.

Centrifuge machine

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The centrifuge or centrifuge machine

There are mainly two types of centrifuges in common they are floor standing and benchtop models.

Floor standing centrifuge

This type of centrifuge machine needs at least 1 square meter of lab floor space. This type of centrifuges included ultracentrifuge as super-speed centrifuge and low-speed centrifuge. The device which has a high speed is an ultracentrifuge it has a rotational speed of one 150000 RPM. Super speed centrifuges are used when the gravitational force of 40000 to 60000×g is needed. For cell culture or blood applications, low-speed floor-standing devices are used. Compared to high-speed centrifuges ultracentrifuge has a limited lifetime expensive too. And also high-speed centrifuges are normally refrigerated one.

Benchtop centrifuges

This type of centrifuges is available in different sizes that are microcentrifuges and multipurpose centrifuges. The one that is optimized for low-volume tubes is microcentrifuge. The microcentrifuges are very small and can quickly change their speed. While multipurpose centrifuges have a bigger rotor chamber per it will allow a broad range of rotors.

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Applications of centrifugation

Due to the high separability rate centrifugation has a very wide application. Below are some of the application and centrifugation examples.

Centrifugation can be used for the separation of even small quantities of solids that are present in the liquid for example chalk powder can be separated from the chalk powder solution.
There is so many biological application of centrifugation that is it can be used for the purification of mammalian cells, fractionation of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes, fractionation of subcellular organelles, etc.
Centrifugation has a wide application in the food industry for example mainly in the dairy industry that is used for the skimming of milk, cheese production, extraction of cream from the milk is by the centrifugation of milk, recovery of casein, removing bacterial contaminants, etc.
The centrifugation process can also be used for the production of beverages juices coffee oil fat processing sugar production, etc.
For the clarification and stabilization of the wine, a centrifugation process is used.
For the forensic and laboratories centrifugation process is used that is for the separation of urine and blood components.
It is also a process used for the separation of proteins by using the technique used for salting out.
It is a very important technique for waste treatment and the most common process is sludge dewatering.
Centrifugation can also be used for the separation of microorganisms from the suspended fluid with the help of centrifugal force.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is centrifuge meaning?

A machine that rapidly rotates with the application of centrifugal force that can be used for separating components present in the heterogeneous mixture is centrifuge.

2. Butter is separated from milk by the process of?

It is a centrifugation example since the process used for the separation of butter from milk is centrifugation. Butter is mainly separated from the curd which is a colloidal form. The instrument used for this process is a centrifuge. Centrifugation allows the separation of a denser one from the lighter particles. In the case of milk the fat is the denser particle and it will settle at the bottom by the action of centrifugal force while the less dense substance will remain at the top. In this way butter is easily separated from the milk and butter is the fat particles present in the milk.

3. What is centrifugation. explain briefly?

The process in which particles are separated by the application of centrifugal force and also by the principle of sedimentation is centrifugation. In a heterogeneous mixture, the components are separated by the centrifugation process in which the mixture may be liquid in liquid, solid in fluids, gases in solids, and liquids. And during the centrifugation process, the solid component or the one that has a higher density than the medium is separated away from the axis of the centrifuge machine and the one with the lowest density moving towards the axis of the centrifuge machine.

4. What is the principle of centrifugation?

The principle used for centrifugation is sedimentation that means the particles separate base around their density upon the gravitational force.

5. What is centrifuge meaning in Hindi?

The centrifuge meaning in Hindi is ‘apakendritr’.

6. What is centrifugation?

Centrifugation is a separation technique that uses centrifugal force to separate components of a mixture based on their density differences. It involves spinning a sample at high speeds in a centrifuge, causing denser particles to move away from the axis of rotation while lighter particles remain closer to the center.

7. How does temperature affect centrifugation?

Temperature can impact centrifugation by affecting the density and viscosity of the sample. Higher temperatures generally decrease viscosity, allowing for faster sedimentation. However, some samples may be temperature-sensitive, requiring cooling during centrifugation to prevent degradation.

8. What is isopycnic centrifugation?

Isopycnic centrifugation is a type of density gradient centrifugation where particles move to their isopycnic point – the position in the gradient where their density matches the surrounding medium. This technique is particularly useful for separating particles with very similar densities.

9. How is centrifugation used in blood analysis?

In blood analysis, centrifugation is used to separate blood components. When whole blood is centrifuged, it separates into three layers: plasma (top), white blood cells and platelets (middle, called the buffy coat), and red blood cells (bottom). This separation allows for individual analysis of each component.

10. What is ultracentrifugation?

Ultracentrifugation is a high-speed centrifugation technique that can generate forces up to 1,000,000 g. It is used to separate very small particles, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses. Ultracentrifuges operate at much higher speeds than conventional centrifuges and require specialized equipment.

11. What is differential centrifugation?

Differential centrifugation is a technique used to separate cellular components based on their size and density. It involves multiple centrifugation steps at increasing speeds, with each step separating a different fraction of the sample. This method is commonly used in cell biology to isolate organelles.

12. How does density gradient centrifugation work?

Density gradient centrifugation uses a pre-formed gradient of varying density in the centrifuge tube. When the sample is centrifuged, particles move through the gradient until they reach a position where their density matches that of the surrounding medium. This allows for more precise separation of particles with similar densities.

13. How is centrifugation used in DNA extraction?

In DNA extraction, centrifugation is used at several steps. It helps to separate cell debris from the lysed cell contents, precipitate DNA from solution, and wash the DNA pellet. The process typically involves multiple centrifugation steps at different speeds and durations to isolate pure DNA.

14. What is the role of centrifugation in wastewater treatment?

In wastewater treatment, centrifugation is used to separate solid particles from liquid. It can remove suspended solids, separate oil from water, and dewater sludge. This process helps to purify water and reduce the volume of waste material that needs to be disposed of or further treated.

15. What is zonal centrifugation?

Zonal centrifugation is a technique where a sample is layered on top of a density gradient and centrifuged. As particles move through the gradient, they form distinct zones based on their sedimentation rates. This method is useful for separating particles with similar densities but different sizes or shapes.

16. What is the principle behind centrifugation?

The principle of centrifugation is based on the fact that when a mixture is rotated at high speed, centrifugal force acts on the particles. This force is proportional to the mass of the particles and their distance from the axis of rotation. Heavier particles experience a greater force and move outward faster, separating from lighter particles.

17. How does rotor size affect centrifugation?

The size of the rotor affects the centrifugal force experienced by the sample. Larger rotors generate higher centrifugal forces at the same rotation speed compared to smaller rotors. This is because the force increases with the distance from the axis of rotation.

18. What is the difference between a fixed-angle rotor and a swinging-bucket rotor?

Fixed-angle rotors hold tubes at a constant angle during centrifugation, while swinging-bucket rotors allow tubes to swing out to a horizontal position during rotation. Fixed-angle rotors are generally faster and can handle higher forces, while swinging-bucket rotors provide a clearer separation of layers.

19. What is relative centrifugal force (RCF)?

Relative centrifugal force (RCF) is a measure of the force applied to a sample during centrifugation. It is expressed in multiples of Earth's gravitational force (g). RCF depends on the rotation speed and the radius of the rotor. Higher RCF values indicate stronger separation forces.

20. How does centrifugation differ from sedimentation?

While both processes separate particles based on density, centrifugation uses an applied force to accelerate the separation process. Sedimentation relies solely on gravity, making it much slower. Centrifugation can separate smaller particles and is more efficient for many applications.

21. How does centrifugation help in studying protein interactions?

Centrifugation techniques, particularly analytical ultracentrifugation, can be used to study protein interactions. By observing how proteins sediment together or separately under different conditions, researchers can determine if proteins are interacting, forming complexes, or changing shape.

22. How is centrifugation used in the dairy industry?

In the dairy industry, centrifugation is used to separate cream from milk, standardize milk fat content, and clarify milk by removing impurities. High-speed centrifuges called separators are used to efficiently separate milk components based on their different densities.

23. What is the purpose of a microcentrifuge?

A microcentrifuge is a small centrifuge designed for processing small volume samples (typically less than 2 mL). It's commonly used in molecular biology and biochemistry for quick spin-downs of reagents, separation of small amounts of cells from media, or pelleting DNA or protein precipitates.

24. How does centrifugation aid in virus purification?

Centrifugation is crucial in virus purification. Differential centrifugation can separate viruses from cell debris, while density gradient centrifugation can further purify and concentrate viral particles. Ultracentrifugation is often required due to the small size of viruses.

25. What is rate zonal centrifugation?

Rate zonal centrifugation is a technique where particles are separated based on their sedimentation rate rather than their equilibrium density. Samples are layered on top of a gradient and centrifuged for a specific time, allowing particles to separate into zones based on how quickly they move through the gradient.

26. How does centrifugation help in studying cell organelles?

Centrifugation, particularly differential and density gradient centrifugation, is essential for isolating and studying cell organelles. Different organelles have different sizes and densities, allowing them to be separated and purified for further analysis. This technique has been crucial in understanding cellular structure and function.

27. What is analytical ultracentrifugation?

Analytical ultracentrifugation is a technique that allows real-time observation of sedimentation during centrifugation. It's used to determine the molecular weight, shape, and interactions of macromolecules. This method provides valuable information about protein complexes, aggregation, and conformational changes.

28. How is centrifugation used in the petroleum industry?

In the petroleum industry, centrifugation is used to separate oil, water, and solids in crude oil emulsions. It's also used in the refining process to remove contaminants and in the analysis of drilling fluids. Centrifuges help improve oil quality and recovery rates.

29. What is continuous flow centrifugation?

Continuous flow centrifugation is a process where sample is continuously fed into a spinning rotor and separated components are continuously removed. This allows for processing of large volumes of sample and is often used in industrial applications, such as in the production of vaccines or in food processing.

30. How does centrifugation aid in environmental testing?

In environmental testing, centrifugation is used to separate and concentrate pollutants from water or soil samples. It can help isolate microorganisms, separate chemical contaminants, and prepare samples for further analysis. This technique is crucial for monitoring water quality and soil contamination.

31. What is the difference between preparative and analytical centrifugation?

Preparative centrifugation is used to separate and isolate specific components of a mixture for further use or analysis. Analytical centrifugation, on the other hand, is used to characterize particles or molecules based on their sedimentation behavior, providing information about their size, shape, and interactions.

32. How does centrifugation help in studying nanoparticles?

Centrifugation is valuable in nanoparticle research for purification, size separation, and characterization. Ultracentrifugation can separate nanoparticles based on size and density, while analytical ultracentrifugation can provide information about nanoparticle size distribution and aggregation behavior.

33. What is sucrose gradient centrifugation?

Sucrose gradient centrifugation is a type of density gradient centrifugation that uses a gradient of sucrose solutions. It's commonly used to separate cellular components, viruses, or other biological particles. The gradient can be continuous (smoothly increasing concentration) or step (distinct layers of different concentrations).

34. How is centrifugation used in forensic science?

In forensic science, centrifugation is used to separate and concentrate trace evidence from samples. It can help isolate DNA from small blood or tissue samples, separate drug compounds from biological fluids, and prepare samples for various analytical techniques. This aids in the analysis of crime scene evidence.

35. What is the role of centrifugation in biotechnology?

Centrifugation is a fundamental technique in biotechnology. It's used for cell harvesting, protein purification, plasmid DNA isolation, and separation of cellular components. In large-scale bioprocessing, industrial centrifuges are used for product recovery and purification in the production of biopharmaceuticals.

36. How does centrifugation contribute to vaccine production?

In vaccine production, centrifugation is used at various stages. It helps in separating viruses or bacteria from growth media, purifying viral particles or bacterial components, and concentrating the final product. Continuous flow centrifugation is often used for large-scale vaccine manufacturing.

37. What is pelleting in centrifugation?

Pelleting is the process of using centrifugal force to collect particles at the bottom of a centrifuge tube, forming a compact mass called a pellet. The pellet contains the denser components of the sample, while lighter components remain in the supernatant (liquid above the pellet). This is a common way to separate and concentrate particles.

38. How does centrifugation speed affect separation?

Higher centrifugation speeds generate greater centrifugal force, leading to faster and more efficient separation. However, excessive speed can damage delicate samples. The optimal speed depends on the sample's properties and the desired separation. Generally, larger or denser particles require lower speeds, while smaller or less dense particles need higher speeds.

39. What is the buoyant density of a particle and how does it affect centrifugation?

The buoyant density of a particle is its density relative to the surrounding medium. In density gradient centrifugation, particles move to the position where their buoyant density matches that of the surrounding gradient. Particles with different buoyant densities will separate into distinct bands, allowing for their isolation.

40. How is centrifugation used in urine analysis?

In urine analysis, centrifugation is used to separate solid components (cells, casts, crystals) from the liquid portion of urine. This allows for microscopic examination of the sediment and chemical analysis of the supernatant. Centrifugation helps in diagnosing various kidney and urinary tract conditions.

41. What is the significance of the g-force in centrifugation?

The g-force, or relative centrifugal force (RCF), is a measure of the acceleration applied to a sample during centrifugation. It's expressed in multiples of Earth's gravitational acceleration (g). Higher g-forces lead to stronger separation but can also damage sensitive samples. Proper selection of g-force is crucial for effective and safe centrifugation.

42. How does centrifugation help in studying protein folding?

Analytical ultracentrifugation can provide information about protein folding and unfolding. Changes in the sedimentation coefficient can indicate alterations in protein shape or oligomerization state. This technique can help researchers understand how proteins fold, unfold, or aggregate under different conditions.

43. What is the role of centrifugation in cell fractionation?

Cell fractionation uses centrifugation to separate cellular components based on their size and density. Differential centrifugation is used to sequentially pellet different organelles, while density gradient centrifugation can further purify these fractions. This technique has been crucial in understanding cellular structure and function.

44. How is centrifugation used in the food industry?

In the food industry, centrifugation is used for various purposes including separating cream from milk, clarifying juices and oils, dewatering foods, and removing impurities. Industrial centrifuges are used in large-scale food processing to improve product quality, extend shelf life, and increase production efficiency.

45. What is the principle behind density gradient centrifugation?

Density gradient centrifugation uses a pre-formed gradient of increasing density in a centrifuge tube. When a sample is centrifuged, particles move through the gradient until they reach a position where their density matches that of the surrounding medium. This allows for separation of particles with very similar densities that might not be separated by simple sedimentation.

46. How does centrifugation aid in studying membrane proteins?

Centrifugation is crucial in isolating and studying membrane proteins. Differential centrifugation can separate membrane fractions from other cellular components. Density gradient centrifugation can further purify these fractions and separate different types of membranes. Analytical ultracentrifugation can provide information about membrane protein complexes and their interactions.

47. What is the role of centrifugation in plasmid DNA isolation?

In plasmid DNA isolation, centrifugation is used at several steps. It helps to separate bacterial cells from the growth medium, pellet cell debris after lysis, and precipitate plasmid DNA. Multiple centrifugation steps at different speeds are typically used to purify plasmid DNA from other cellular components.

48. How does centrifugation contribute to drug discovery?

Centrifugation plays a vital role in drug discovery. It's used in the purification of drug compounds, studying drug-target interactions, and analyzing drug formulations. Analytical ultracentrifugation can provide information about drug binding to proteins, while preparative centrifugation is used in the isolation and purification of potential drug molecules.

49. What is the significance of the sedimentation coefficient?

The sedimentation coefficient is a measure of how quickly a particle sediments in a centrifugal field. It depends on the particle's mass, density, and shape. This coefficient is useful for characterizing and identifying molecules or particles. In analytical ultracentrifugation, changes in the sedimentation coefficient can indicate alterations in molecular structure or interactions.

50. How is centrifugation used in studying RNA?

Centrifugation is crucial in RNA research. It's used in RNA extraction to separate RNA from other cellular components. Density gradient centrifugation can separate different RNA species based on their size. Analytical ultracentrifugation can provide information about RNA structure and interactions, including the formation of RNA-protein complexes.

51. What is the role of centrifugation in studying lipoproteins?

Centrifugation, particularly ultracentrifugation, is essential in lipoprotein research. Different lipoprotein classes (HDL, LDL, VLDL) can be separated based on their density using density gradient ultracentrifugation. This technique has been crucial in understanding lipoprotein metabolism and its role in cardiovascular disease.

52. How does centrifugation help in studying cell membranes?

Centrifugation is used to isolate and purify cell membranes for study. Differential centrifugation can separate membrane fractions from other cellular components, while density gradient centrifugation can further purify these fractions and separate different types of membranes. This allows researchers to study membrane composition, structure, and function.

53. What is the principle behind analytical ultracentrifugation?

Analytical ultracentrifugation allows real-time observation of sedimentation during centrifugation. It uses optical systems to detect the concentration distribution of particles as they sediment. This provides information about particle size, shape, and interactions. The technique can be used in sedimentation velocity mode (to study particle shape and interactions) or sedimentation equilibrium