Mixing Bags for Bioprocessing Applications
Single-use mixing bags optimized for media preparation, buffer mixing, and powder dissolution. 500mL to 50L capacity. Compatible with orbital shakers and rocking platforms. Sterile, gamma irradiated. Made in Germany.
What Are Mixing Bags?
Mixing bags are single-use bioprocess containers specifically designed for efficient mixing applications in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These 2D pillow-shaped bags create optimal fluid dynamics when placed on orbital shakers or rocking platforms, providing rapid homogenization of media, buffers, and additives.
Unlike traditional stainless steel mixing tanks, mixing bags require no cleaning validation, no CIP/SIP systems, and no hold-time studies. Each bag arrives pre-sterilized by gamma irradiation, ready to use immediately upon opening. This dramatically reduces preparation time and eliminates cross-contamination risk between batches.
Why Use Mixing Bags vs Traditional Tanks?
- Zero Cleaning Time: Dispose after use - no CIP cycles required
- Pre-Sterilized: Gamma irradiated to SAL 10⁻⁶, ready to use
- Faster Mixing: Flat geometry creates efficient fluid motion on shakers
- No Cross-Contamination: New sterile bag for each batch
- Lower Capital Cost: Orbital shaker vs. stainless steel mixing tank
- Flexible Capacity: Easy to scale from 500mL to 50L
Primary Applications of Mixing Bags
Media Preparation
Mix powdered cell culture media with water or base solutions. Excellent for preparing CHO, HEK293, and other mammalian cell media.
Typical Process:
- Add base water/buffer (70-80% final volume)
- Add powdered media through top port
- Mix on orbital shaker at 80-120 RPM
- Complete dissolution in 15-30 minutes
- Adjust to final volume, pH check
Volumes: 5L, 10L, 20L, 50L most common
Buffer Mixing
Blend buffer components for chromatography, formulation, and washing applications. Precise pH control and homogeneous mixing.
Common Buffers:
- Phosphate buffers (PBS)
- Tris-HCl buffers
- Acetate buffers
- Elution buffers
- Equilibration buffers
Mix Time: 10-20 minutes typical
Supplement Addition
Add vitamins, growth factors, amino acids, and other supplements to prepared media. Ensures uniform distribution.
Common Supplements:
- Serum (FBS, HS)
- Glutamine
- Antibiotics
- Growth factors
- Custom additives
Mix Time: 5-15 minutes typical
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details | Standard/Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polyethylene (PE) multi-layer film | USP Class VI |
| Film Thickness | 300-400 µm | ±10% tolerance |
| Volume Range | 500 mL to 50 liters | Multiple standard sizes |
| Sterilization | Gamma irradiation 25-50 kGy | ISO 11137 |
| SAL | 10⁻⁶ | Sterility assured |
| Port Options | Top fill, bottom drain, sampling | Custom configurations |
| Tubing | Platinum-cured silicone or C-Flex | USP Class VI |
| Temperature Range | 2°C to 40°C | Validated |
| Mixing Platform | Orbital shaker, rocking platform | 80-150 RPM typical |
| Mix Time | 5-30 minutes (application dependent) | Optimized geometry |
Available Sizes
| Bag Volume | Working Volume | Dimensions (approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mL | 400-450 mL | 20 × 25 cm | Small batches, R&D |
| 1 L | 800-900 mL | 25 × 30 cm | Lab scale |
| 2 L | 1.6-1.8 L | 30 × 35 cm | Pilot batches |
| 5 L | 4-4.5 L | 35 × 45 cm | Process development |
| 10 L | 8-9 L | 45 × 55 cm | Clinical manufacturing |
| 20 L | 16-18 L | 55 × 70 cm | Production scale |
| 50 L | 40-45 L | 70 × 90 cm | Large scale production |
Mixing Best Practices
Optimal Mixing Speed
General Rule: 80-120 RPM for most applications
- Powder dissolution: 100-120 RPM
- Buffer blending: 80-100 RPM
- Gentle mixing: 60-80 RPM
- Viscous solutions: 120-150 RPM
Tip: Start slow, increase speed gradually to avoid foam formation
Fill Guidelines
Optimal Fill Level: 70-85% of bag capacity
- Too little (<50%): Poor mixing efficiency
- Optimal (70-85%): Best mixing performance
- Too much (>90%): Risk of seal stress
Tip: Leave air headspace for optimal fluid motion
Temperature Control
Temperature Considerations:
- Room temp (20-25°C): Fastest mixing
- Cold (2-8°C): May require longer time
- Warm (30-37°C): Faster dissolution
Tip: Warm water (30-40°C) accelerates powder dissolution
Quality Control Checkpoints
- Visual Inspection: Verify complete dissolution, no particulates
- pH Measurement: Confirm pH within specification (±0.2 units typical)
- Conductivity: Verify ionic strength if critical
- Osmolality: Check for cell culture media (280-320 mOsm/kg typical)
- Sterility: Maintain closed system integrity throughout
Equipment Compatibility
Orbital Shakers
Mixing bags work excellently on standard laboratory orbital shakers:
- Small bags (500mL-5L): Benchtop shakers (30-40 cm platform)
- Medium bags (5L-20L): Floor-standing shakers (50-60 cm platform)
- Large bags (20L-50L): Industrial shakers (70-100 cm platform)
Rocking Platforms
Alternative to orbital shakers for gentler mixing:
- Lower shear stress vs. orbital
- Better for viscous solutions
- Typical angle: 5-12 degrees
- Typical speed: 10-30 rocks/minute
Container Options
Bags can be used in various containers:
- Open use: Directly on shaker (most common)
- Tray support: Rigid tray for stability
- Container systems: Place in stainless steel or plastic container
Advantages Over Traditional Mixing
💰 Cost Savings
- No tank purchase required
- No CIP system installation
- No cleaning chemicals
- No water consumption (1000s L/batch)
- No steam for SIP
- Reduced labor costs
Typical savings: 60-80% vs. stainless steel
⏱️ Time Efficiency
- Setup time: 2-5 minutes
- Mixing time: 5-30 minutes
- Cleanup time: 0 minutes (dispose)
- Total time: 10-40 minutes
Compare to: 2-4 hours with stainless steel tank
✅ Quality Assurance
- Pre-sterilized, ready to use
- No cleaning validation required
- No hold-time studies needed
- Eliminate cross-contamination risk
- Traceability (lot numbers)
- Complete documentation
Simplified GMP compliance
Ready to Streamline Your Mixing Operations?
Our team will help you select the right mixing bag sizes and configurations for your applications.
Expert Support: Application consultation | Volume recommendations | Custom ports | Fast quotes | Validation support
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