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Bromelain purification through unconventional aqueous two-phase system (PEG/ammonium sulphate)
D F Coelho1, E Silveira, A Pessoa Junior
1Departamento de Engenharia de Sistemas Químicos, Faculdade de Engenharia Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz", São Paulo, Brazil. dfcoelho@feq.unicamp.br
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
|July 6, 2012
Summary
This study explores novel aqueous two-phase systems for bromelain purification from pineapple waste. Combining liquid-liquid extraction and fractional precipitation, this method enhances purification and recovery of active bromelain.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Process Engineering
- Food Science
Background:
- Pineapple processing generates significant waste, often containing valuable enzymes like bromelain.
- Conventional bromelain purification methods can be inefficient and costly.
- Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) offer a promising alternative for enzyme purification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of unconventional aqueous two-phase systems for bromelain purification.
- To integrate liquid-liquid extraction with fractional precipitation for enhanced purification.
- To optimize purification parameters using desirability optimization methodology (DOM).
Main Methods:
- Utilized unconventional aqueous two-phase systems integrating liquid-liquid extraction and fractional precipitation.
- Employed response surface methodology for data analysis.
- Applied desirability optimization methodology (DOM) to maximize purification factor and recovery.
Main Results:
- Achieved an 11.80-fold purification factor for bromelain.
- Recovered 66.38% of bromelain's biological activity.
- Optimized conditions involved poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (4,000 Da), 10.86% PEG concentration, and 36.21% ammonium sulfate saturation.
Conclusions:
- Unconventional ATPS integrated with fractional precipitation are effective for bromelain purification.
- DOM is crucial for achieving high purification factors and recovery rates.
- This approach offers a viable method for valorizing pineapple processing waste.

