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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
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Covalent Immobilization of Proteins for the Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy
Published on: August 20, 2018
Solubilization of subtilisin in CO2 using fluoroether-functional amphiphiles
E G Ghenciu1, A J Russell, E J Beckman
1Chemical Engineering Dept. and Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1249 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|April 1, 1999
Summary
Researchers developed novel fluoroether surfactants to enable protein solubilization in carbon dioxide (CO2). This breakthrough allows for efficient protein recovery and activity retention using CO2 as a green solvent.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Green Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an abundant and environmentally benign solvent.
- Polar compounds, including proteins and amino acids, exhibit low solubility in CO2.
- Conventional surfactants are ineffective for protein extraction in CO2 at pressures below 50 MPa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel surfactants for efficient protein solubilization in CO2.
- To investigate the recovery and activity retention of proteins extracted using CO2.
- To explore alternative methods for protein extraction in CO2 systems.
Main Methods:
- Generation of highly CO2-soluble fluoroether-functional surfactants.
- Solubilization of subtilisin Carlsberg from aqueous solutions into CO2 via inverse emulsion.
- Protein recovery through depressurization.
- Investigation of protein-surfactant aggregate stripping from middle phase emulsions using pure CO2.
Main Results:
- Fluoroether surfactants successfully solubilized proteins in CO2.
- Protein recovery via depressurization retained biological activity.
- Protein concentration influenced solubilization efficiency and activity retention.
- Protein acted as a stabilizer in the CO2-emulsion system.
- Protein-surfactant aggregates could be stripped from emulsions using pure CO2.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroether surfactants are effective for extracting proteins into CO2.
- Protein stability and activity are maintained during CO2-based extraction and recovery.
- CO2 offers a promising green alternative for protein processing and purification.
- Protein concentration plays a critical role in the efficiency and stability of CO2-based extraction systems.
