Alternative bioseparation operations: life beyond packed-bed chromatography

Area of Science:

• Biochemical Engineering
• Separation Science
• Bioprocessing Technology

Background:

• Chromatography is a high-resolution bioseparation technique but represents a significant cost and low-throughput bottleneck in downstream processing.
• The high cost and low throughput of chromatography drive the need for alternative separation methods in bioprocessing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current unit operations that serve as alternatives to traditional chromatography in bioseparation.
• To assess the potential of these chromatography alternatives to improve downstream processing efficiency and reduce costs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of established and emerging chromatography alternatives.
• Analysis of unit operations including membrane filtration, aqueous two-phase extraction, three-phase partitioning, precipitation, crystallization, monoliths, and membrane chromatography.
• Evaluation of the feasibility and potential impact of these alternatives on bioseparation.

Main Results:

• Several unit operations show promise as chromatography alternatives, offering potential for cost reduction and increased throughput.
• Membrane filtration, aqueous two-phase extraction, and membrane chromatography are highlighted as particularly viable alternatives.
• Precipitation and crystallization offer different separation mechanisms that can complement or replace chromatographic steps.

Conclusions:

• Chromatography alternatives present a viable strategy to overcome the limitations of traditional chromatography in downstream bioprocessing.
• Adoption of these alternatives can lead to more cost-effective and efficient bioseparation processes.
• Further research and development are needed to fully realize the potential of these chromatography alternatives.