Biotechnology And Pharmaceutical Industry

 

SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION

UF/MF systems can be used to separate cells from antibiotics, substituting traditional processes such as rotary vacuum precoat filters end centrifuges. The UF/MF process offers a higher yield, and the permeate is crystal clear. Cell disruption is necessary when the product is intracellular. This can be done using a homogenizer. UF is very well-suited for separation of product and cell debris, and is considerably more efficient than traditional processes because the permeate contains all the antibiotic and is completely free from cell debris.

 

CONCENTRATION AND PURIFICATION

RO and NF units can be used for concentration - and to some extent - purification. RO is much cheaper and gentler than using an evaporator. By using relatively open RO membranes large amounts of inorganic salts as well as lower molecular weight impurities permeate the membrane, while retaining the antibiotic. By using relatively tight RO membranes very low molecular weight antibiotics can be concentrated