membranfrei

Membranfrei is an adjective used in German to describe something that is free of membranes. It refers to samples, substances, or conditions in which lipid bilayer membranes are absent or have been removed, or where no membrane barrier is involved in the process being described.

In biology and biochemistry, membranfrei is often used when referring to cytosolic or membrane-free fractions obtained after the disruption of cells or organelles. Such usage supports analyses or assays that target soluble components rather than membrane-bound compartments. The term can also indicate experimental conditions that avoid the influence of membrane structures.

In chemistry, materials science, and process engineering, membranfrei denotes methods or systems that do not rely on membranes for separation or transport. Examples include centrifugation, precipitation, crystallization, or distillation, which contrast with membrane-based techniques such as filtration or dialysis. The concept is also used to describe materials or devices designed to operate without membrane barriers.

Etymology and usage notes: membranfrei combines Membran (membrane) and frei (free). It is a descriptive term and may appear across disciplines with slightly different nuances. In some contexts, synonyms like membranlos or ohne Membran may be used. The exact meaning depends on the field and the specific subject under discussion. See also membrane, membrane filtration, and membraneless concepts in biology.