Overview on Protein Extraction and Purification Using Ionic-Liquid-Based Processes

Abstract

Proteins are one the most widely studied biomolecules with diverse functions and applications.Aiming at overcoming the current drawbacks of purification processes of proteins, the introduction of ionic liquids (ILs) has been a hot topic of research. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been applied in the creation of aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS), solid-phase extractions through poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) and supported ionic-liquid phases (SILPs), and in the crystallization of proteins. In this sense, IL-based processes have emerged either applied as solvents, electrolytes or adjuvants, or as supported materials to tune the adsorption/affinity capacity aiming at developing an efficient, cost-effective, sustainable and green IL-based for protein extraction. This review discusses different IL-based processes in the extraction and purification of proteins in the past years, namely IL-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS), solid-phase extractions through PILs and SILPs, and protein crystallization. The type and structure of ILs applied and their influence in the different processes performance are also discussed.

Recovery of bacterioruberin and proteins using aqueous solutions of surface-active compounds

“…8 There is a problem in searching for new sources of proteins for food purposes. However, due to their multiple biological roles, their biotechnological interest is vast, 9,10 and thus, depending on the final application, their purification may be required. In halophilic archaea (or haloarchaea), halophilic proteins assist adaptation to extreme saline conditions by modifying their structure.…”

Enabling Sustainable Chemistry with Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Fad or the Future?

“…Indeed, many traditional polymer‐based ABSs have been engineered to successfully purify many APIs, including monoclonal antibodies [190–193] . Because some ILs and DESs are bioderived, renewable, and their syntheses more economical than those of polymers used in ABSs, [194] it is rational to assume that an IL‐ or DES‐based ABS would be a more sustainable option, especially at large scale [188, 195] . Also, using ILs and DESs as phase‐forming components in ABSs opens new opportunities to tune the phase's properties, including magnetism, chirality, polarity, and pH, to selectively extract and purify specialty molecules from their native environment.…”

Enhanced Enzyme Reuse through the Bioconjugation of L-Asparaginase and Silica-Based Supported Ionic Liquid-like Phase Materials

“…Despite their relevance in biocatalysis, free enzymes such as ASNase display limitations, namely their single use and low stability [ 1 , 5 ]. This problem can be overcome by the immobilization of enzymes onto solid supports, producing a heterogeneous biocatalyst.…”

“…Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) were proposed as potential surface modifying compounds for several materials, including silica [ 32 ], with potential application for the immobilization of enzymes, such as lipase [ 33 ] and penicillin G acylase [ 34 ], as well as additives for the enzyme immobilization, e.g., lipase [ 35 ], pepsin [ 36 ], and trypsin [ 36 ], through entrapment in silica matrices using sol-gel methods. ILs are composed of an organic cation and an organic or inorganic anion, thus displaying unique features if properly designed, e.g., exceptional chemical, thermal, and electrochemical stability, solvation capability, low/negligible volatility, nonflammability, among others [ 5 , 37 , 38 ]. Furthermore, ILs are considered to be designer compounds due to the high amount of possible ion combinations, allowing the tailoring of their physicochemical properties for a given task [ 5 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…ILs are composed of an organic cation and an organic or inorganic anion, thus displaying unique features if properly designed, e.g., exceptional chemical, thermal, and electrochemical stability, solvation capability, low/negligible volatility, nonflammability, among others [ 5 , 37 , 38 ]. Furthermore, ILs are considered to be designer compounds due to the high amount of possible ion combinations, allowing the tailoring of their physicochemical properties for a given task [ 5 , 37 , 38 ]. Therefore, novel materials, such as supported ionic liquid materials, which have the IL moieties covalently attached and avoid their leaching, combine the features of the selected ILs with those of the support used.…”