화학공학소재연구정보센터
AIChE Journal, Vol.46, No.6, 1191-1200, 2000
Gradient formation in membrane unit for differential precipitation of proteins
A new protein fractionation technique presented transfers ammonium sulfate to create a gradient of ammonium sulfate inside a membrane unit for differential precipitation of proteins called "centrifugal precipitation chromatography. "Because it does not require any solid support, it should provide a better alternative to the conventional chromatography with solid stationary phase. To understand the phenomena and achieve a better separation, a mathematical model explaining the ammonium sulfate gradient formation inside the stationary membrane unit is investigated. The model is extended with empirical correlation to the centrifugal membrane unit-a new approach for protein purification. The model agreed well with the experiments for both stationary and centrifugal units. Upon using the model to calculate the ammonium sulfate gradient formation in a membrane unit, this new technique can be useful in separating a mixture of proteins whose solubility in ammonium sulfate solution differs. To demonstrate the technique experimentally, mixtures of proteins are loaded into the column; the partial resolution between proteins is achieved with the step concentration switch of the inlet ammonium sulfate solution.