A high efficiency method combining metal chelate ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase flotation with two-step...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Bromelain, a valuable enzyme from pineapple, requires efficient purification methods.
• Existing purification techniques can be costly and environmentally unsustainable.
• Developing cost-effective and eco-friendly enzyme purification is crucial for industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable and cost-effective purification strategy for bromelain.
• To integrate metal chelate ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase flotation (IL-based ATPF) with a two-step precipitation process.
• To optimize the purification process for high enzyme recovery and purity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a copper chelate-functionalized thermosensitive block copolymer (L64-IDA-Cu(II)) as a trapping agent in IL-based ATPF for primary bromelain capture.
• Employed a two-step precipitation process leveraging the thermosensitive properties of L64-IDA-Cu(II) for further bromelain purification.
• Conducted a series of optimization experiments to determine the most effective purification parameters.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high enzymatic activity recovery of bromelain at 95.22 ± 0.04%.
• Reached a significant purification factor of 6.56 ± 0.03.
• Demonstrated satisfactory recycling efficiency for both ionic liquids (ILs) and the trapping agent.

Conclusions:

• The combined IL-based ATPF and two-step precipitation method offers a superior and sustainable approach for bromelain purification.
• The developed recycling strategy enhances the cost-effectiveness and environmental viability of the process.
• This novel purification technique shows strong potential for industrial-scale implementation.