In this research, promising aqueous
two-phase systems (ATPS) containing
polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) as a quite biocompatible
nonionic surfactant and different salts (K2HPO4, MgSO4, and Na3Citrate) were prepared and
their extractive potential was evaluated. These ATPS possess top and
bottom phases well-stocked in surfactant and salt respectively which
can offer appealing characteristics such as low interfacial tension,
low volatility, and ease of scaling-up. Ternary phase diagrams of
ATPS consisting of Tween 20 and three different salts were obtained
and the results were successfully fitted to the Merchuk correlation.
The salting-out ability of salts were assessed. Also, the tie-line
data were correlated with the Othmer-Tobias equation. Afterward, the
partitioning behavior of cefazolin as a broad-spectrum antibiotic
in the proposed ATPS was studied at three temperatures (298.15, 302.15,
and 306.15 K) and the influences of Na3Citrate and MgSO4 on partition coefficients were justified by Hofmeister series.
Furthermore, the effect of tie-line length on partitioning of cefazolin
in ATPS was investigated. The experimental data of cefazolin partition
coefficients indicated the proper potential of the Tween 20–Na3Citrate–water biphasic system for the bioseparation
process.