NANOPARTICLE MEDIATED PROTEIN SEPARATION IN AQUEOUS MICELLAR TWO-PHASE SYSTEMS

Magnetic nanoparticles with cation exchange functionality (MNCX) are combined with an Aqueous Micellar Two-Phase System (AMTPS) based on the nonionic surfactant Eumulgin ES for the purpose of protein separation. As proof of principle the positively charged protein lysozyme is separated from the negatively charged protein ovalbumin with a purity of approximately 100%. In comparison with the application of the MNCX alone, the presence of Eumulgin ES reduced the amount of lysozyme bound; however, the amount of eluted lysozyme stays the same. The advantage of applying the AMPTS is that the MNCX are easily handled as they partition completely into the dispersed phase of the system while the applied proteins partition almost entirely to the continuous phase.