Extraction of Biomolecules Using Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquids + K3PO4 Aqueous Biphasic Systems

abstract

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) provide an alternative and efficient approach for the extraction, recovery and purification of biomolecules through their partitioning between two liquid aqueous phases. In this work, the ability of hydrophilic phosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) to form ABS with aqueous K3PO4 solutions was evaluated for the first time. Ternary phase diagrams, and respective tie-lines and tie-lines length, formed by distinct phosphonium-based ILs, water, and K3PO4 at 298 K, were measured and are reported. The studied phosphonium-based ILs have shown to be more effective in promoting ABS compared to the imidazolium-based counterparts with similar anions. Moreover, the extractive capability of such systems was assessed for distinct biomolecules (including amino acids, food colourants and alkaloids). Densities and viscosities of both aqueous phases, at the mass fraction compositions used for the biomolecules extraction, were also determined. The evaluated IL-based ABS have been shown to be prospective extraction media, particularly for hydrophobic biomolecules, with several advantages over conventional polymer-inorganic salt ABS.

keywords

AQUEOUS BIPHASIC SYSTEMS; MUTUAL SOLUBILITIES; 2-PHASE SYSTEMS; SALTING-OUT; PLUS WATER; PHASE-BEHAVIOR; PROTEINS; EQUILIBRIA; SEPARATION; SOLVENTS

subject category

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry

authors

Louros, CLS; Claudio, AFM; Neves, CMSS; Freire, MG; Marrucho, IM; Pauly, J; Coutinho, JAP

our authors

acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Cytec Industries for providing all of the phosphonium-based ILs used in this work and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia for its financial support through project PTDC/EQU-FTT/65252/2006.

Share this project:

Related Publications

We use cookies for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. By clicking “Accept Cookies” you agree with our cookie policy. Read about how we use cookies by clicking "Privacy and Cookie Policy".