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Continuous Crystallization Platforms to Crystallize Biomolecules
1School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Continuous crystallizers offer superior performance for biomolecule crystallization over batch methods. This study reviews advanced continuous platforms like MSMPRC and PFC, highlighting their potential for downstream processing.
Area of Science:
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Crystallization Technology
Background:
- Batch crystallizers are traditional for biomolecule industrial crystallization.
- Continuous crystallizers are emerging with superior performance.
- Biomolecule crystallization is crucial for downstream processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review innovative continuous crystallizer platforms for biomolecules.
- To discuss key design variables affecting crystallization kinetics and thermodynamics.
- To highlight continuous crystallization as an alternative to chromatography.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of continuous crystallizer designs.
- Discussion of mixed-suspension-mixed-product-removal crystallizer (MSMPRC), plug flow crystallizer (PFC), slug flow crystallizer (SFC), oscillatory flow baffled crystallizer (OFBC).
- Inclusion of innovative platforms like membrane and Couette-Taylor (CT) crystallizers.
Main Results:
- Continuous crystallizers (MSMPRC, PFC, SFC, OFBC, membrane, CT) are detailed.
- Application in continuous crystallization of globular proteins (lysozyme, insulin) is demonstrated.
- Key design variables influencing kinetics (RTD, mixing) and thermodynamics are analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Continuous crystallization presents a promising alternative to traditional chromatography for biomolecule downstream processing.
- Advanced continuous crystallizers offer enhanced control and efficiency.
- Further investigation into design variables can optimize biomolecule crystallization processes.
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