Mass Transfer of Proteins in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

Abstract

Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction is known to be a gentle separation technique for biochemical molecules where product partitioning is fast. However, the reason for the high mass transfer rates has not been investigated, yet. Many researchers claim that the low interfacial tension facilitates the formation of very small droplets and with it a large interfacial area causing a fast partitioning. However, an experimental evidence for this hypothesis has not been published yet. In this study, the mass transfer coefficients of two proteins, namely lysozyme and bromelain, were determined by providing a defined interfacial area for partitioning. Compared to low molecular weight solutes the mass transfer coefficient for the proteins investigated was small proving for the first time that the large interfacial area and not fast diffusion seems to be the reason for fast protein partitioning.

Study of caffeine and coumarin extraction kinetics in an aqueous two-phase system based on polyethylene glycol 1500

“…The equilibrium in the system is achieved in 17 and 12 minutes for caffeine and coumarin, respectively, which is probably due to the low interphase tension of the ATPS. Comparing the results with the experiments obtained by Kaplanow I et al where the mass transfer of lysozyme and bromelain was studied in the PEG system 4000/sodium citrate, the equilibrium of caffeine and coumarin in the system proposed here is achieved faster than the one of proteins [29]. The rapid transition of caffeine and coumarin can be justified by the use of polyethylene glycol with a Figures 5 and 6 show the kinetic dependencies for caffeine and coumarin with ultrasound exposure.…”

Recent Developments in Solvent-Based Fluid Separations

“…Although alcohols are also commonly produced biologically, and must be recovered from their broth (132)(133)(134), the main application of alcohols is as biofuel. A range of other products are made and recovered from broths or cell cultures, including proteins (29,135), amino acids (26), and monoclonal antibodies (27). Dynamic and reversible biphasic systems have received much attention for their potential in efficient mild separation processes and fast partitioning owing to their large interfacial area (135).…”

“…A range of other products are made and recovered from broths or cell cultures, including proteins (29,135), amino acids (26), and monoclonal antibodies (27). Dynamic and reversible biphasic systems have received much attention for their potential in efficient mild separation processes and fast partitioning owing to their large interfacial area (135). Stimuli-induced phase separations have been shown in ATPS with ILs via variations in pH (136) or temperature (29), where the temperature sensitivity of ATPS can be enhanced by tuning the critical micelle concentration (137,138).…”

Separation and Purification of Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharides by Deep Eutectic Solvents-Based Aqueous Two-Phase System

“…An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is a mixed aqueous solution of either two hydrophilic polymers or a hydrophilic polymer and a salt, which will form two insoluble phases at appropriate concentrations [21,22]. When the target compounds are added to ATPS, they are separated into different phases due to the influence of surface properties and various interaction forces (such as hydrogen bond interaction and ionic bond interaction) [23,24]. Compared with the traditional oil-water solvent extraction systems, ATPS extraction has the advantages of mild operation conditions, excellent biocompatibility, and simple operation [25,26].…”