Simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) for application in bioseparation

Area of Science:

• Bioseparation engineering
• Chromatographic techniques

Background:

• Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) technology is gaining prominence in bioseparation due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency compared to traditional chromatography.
• SMB offers reduced solvent consumption, high productivity, and superior purity, making it attractive for industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the "Triangle Theory" for designing and optimizing SMB separations under overloaded conditions.
• To highlight the application of SMB in downstream processing of biotechnological products, addressing specific isolation demands.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews the "Triangle Theory" as a framework for selecting SMB operating conditions.
• It discusses accounting for non-linear competitive adsorption behavior in SMB design.
• Exemplary applications demonstrate the practical implementation of SMB techniques.

Main Results:

• The "Triangle Theory" provides explicit criteria for achieving desired separations with Langmuir, modified Langmuir, and bi-Langmuir isotherms.
• SMB units can be optimized for high productivity overloaded conditions, managing non-linear adsorption.
• Successful applications include the separation of diverse biomolecules and isomers.

Conclusions:

• SMB technology is a viable and advantageous method for bioseparation, offering significant benefits over conventional chromatography.
• The "Triangle Theory" is a crucial tool for the rational design and optimization of SMB processes for complex mixtures and bioproducts.
• Adaptations of SMB are effective for specialized downstream processing in biotechnology, including purification and desalting.