density-gradient centrifugation

density-gradient centrifugation

the separation of the components of an homogenate by a process of CENTRIFUGATION where each component is moved to a level equivalent to its density in the solute gradient used. The technique has a huge advantage over normal centrifugation, in that several components of different density can be separated in the same tube. Sucrose or caesium chloride is often used as the centrifugation medium. See DIFFERENTIAL CENTRIFUGATION, ULTRACENTRIFUGE, EQUILIBRIUM CENTRIFUGATION.