Horseradish peroxidase extraction and purification by aqueous two-phase partition

The effect of poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) molecular weight, system pH, and sodium chloride concentration on the partitioning behavior of horseradish peroxidase fromArmomcia rusticana root extract was investigated in poly(ethyleneglycol)/sodium phosphate systems. PEG molecular weight strongly affects the enzyme partition coefficient, whereas pH variation from 5.5 to 8.0 has little effect. The addition of sodium chloride (8% w/w) to a PEG 1540/phosphate system, pH 7.0, raises the peroxidase partition coefficient 13.5-fold without important changes in that of total horseradish root proteins. Moreover, these conditions allow direct homogenization of theA. rusticana roots with the selected aqueous two-phase system with the clear top phase containing over 90% of the enzyme and the purification factor being 4.8.     

高速逆流色谱双水相体系分离蛋白质

利用多分离柱高速逆流色谱仪,研究了聚乙二醇1000(PEG1000)-磷酸盐双水相体系的固定相保留率及该体系对蛋白质混合物和鸡蛋清样品的分离。以14.0%PEG1000-16.0%磷酸盐体系的上相为固定相,在流速0.6 mL/min和转速900 r/min的条件下,固定相的保留率达到33.3%。在pH 9.2的PEG1000-磷酸盐双水相体系中,细胞色素C、溶菌酶和血红蛋白的分配系数差异最大,采用该pH值的14.0%PEG1000-16.0%磷酸钾盐双水相体系,在流速1.0 mL/min和转速850 r/min的条件下,成功地分离了这3种蛋白质的混合物。鸡蛋清中的主要蛋白质成分卵转铁蛋白、卵白蛋白和溶菌酶在pH 9.2的15.0%PEG1000-17.0%磷酸钾盐体系中也具有最大的分配系数差异。采用该体系,在流速1.0 mL/min和转速850 r/min的条件下,成功地分离了鸡蛋清样品,得到的卵白蛋白、溶菌酶和卵转铁蛋白的电泳纯度分别为100％,100％和60％,收率均大于90％。     

Extraction of endoglucanase I (Ce17B) fusion proteins from Trichoderma reesei culture filtrate in a poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphate aqueous two-phase system

Endoglucanases (EGI) (endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4, Ce17B) of Trichoderma reesei are industrially important enzymes. Thus, there is a great need for development of a primary recovery method suitable for large-scale utilization. In this study we present a concept applicable for large-scale purification of an EGI fusion protein by one-step extraction in a poly(ethylene glycol) PEG-sodium/potassium phosphate aqueous two-phase system. EGI is a two-module enzyme composed of an N-terminal catalytic module and a C-terminal cellulose binding module (CBM) separated by a glycosylated linker region. Partitioning of six different EGI constructs, containing the C-terminal extensions (WP)2, (WP)4 or the amphiphilic protein hydrophobin I (HFB) of T. reesei instead of the CBM were studied to evaluate if any of the fusions could improve the partition coefficient sufficiently to be suitable for large-scale production. All constructs showed improved partitioning in comparison to full length EGI. The (WP)4 extensions resulted in 26- to 60-fold improvement of partition coefficient. Consequently, a relative minor change in amino acid sequence on the two-module protein EGI improved the partition coefficient significantly in the PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system. The addition of HFBI to EGI clearly enhanced the partition coefficient (K=1.2) in comparison to full-length EGI (K=0.035). Partitioning of the construct with (WP)4 fused to the catalytic module and a short sequence of the linker [EGI(core-P5)(WP)4] resulted in the highest partition coefficient (K=54) and a yield of 98% in the PEG phase. Gel electrophoresis showed that the construct with the (WP)4 tag attached after a penta-proline linker could be purified from the other bulk proteins by only a single-step separation in the PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system. This is a major improvement in comparison with the previously studied model (ethylene oxide-propylene oxide)-dextran system. Hence, this construct will be suitable for further optimization of the extraction of the enzyme in a PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system from culture filtrate.     

Application of central composite design to the optimisation of aqueous two-phase extraction of human antibodies

The partition of human antibodies in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and phosphate was systematically studied using first pure proteins systems and then an artificial mixture of proteins containing 1mg/ml human immunoglobulin G (IgG), 10mg/ml serum albumin and 2mg/ml myoglobin. Preliminary results obtained using pure proteins systems indicated that the PEG molecular weight and concentration, the pH value and the salts concentration had a pronounced effect on the partitioning behaviour of all proteins. For high ionic strengths and pH values higher than the isoelectric point (pI) of the contaminant proteins, IgG could be selectively recovered on the top phase. According to these results, a face centred composite design was performed in order to optimise the purification of IgG from the mixture of proteins. The optimal conditions for the isolation of IgG were observed for high concentrations of NaCl and low concentrations of both phase forming components. The best purification was achieved using an ATPS containing 8% (w/w) PEG 3350, 10% (w/w) phosphate pH 6 and 15% (w/w) NaCl. A recovery yield of 101+/-7%, a purity of 99+/-0% and a yield of native IgG of 97+/-4% were obtained. Back extraction studies of IgG to a new phosphate phase were performed and higher yields were obtained using 10% phosphate buffer at pH 6. The total extraction yield was 76% and the purity 100%.     

Affinity partitioning of human antibodies in aqueous two-phase systems

The partitioning of human immunoglobulin (IgG) in a polymer-polymer and polymer-salt aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) in the presence of several functionalised polyethylene glycols (PEGs) was studied. As a first approach, the partition studies were performed with pure IgG using systems in which the target protein remained in the bottom phase when the non-functionalised systems were tested. The effect of increasing functionalised PEG concentration and the type of ligand were studied. Afterwards, selectivity studies were performed with the most successful ligands first by using systems containing pure proteins and an artificial mixture of proteins and, subsequently, with systems containing a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells supernatant. The PEG/phosphate ATPS was not suitable for the affinity partitioning of IgG. In the PEG/dextran ATPS, the diglutaric acid functionalised PEGs (PEG-COOH) displayed great affinity to IgG, and all IgG could be recovered in the top phase when 20% (w/w) of PEG 150-COOH and 40% (w/w) PEG 3350-COOH were used. The selectivity of these functionalised PEGs was evaluated using an artificial mixture of proteins, and PEG 3350-COOH did not show affinity to IgG in the presence of typical serum proteins such as human serum albumin and myoglobin, while in systems with PEG 150-COOH, IgG could be recovered with a yield of 91%. The best purification of IgG from the CHO cells supernatant was then achieved in a PEG/dextran ATPS in the presence of PEG 150-COOH with a recovery yield of 93%, a purification factor of 1.9 and a selectivity to IgG of 11. When this functionalised PEG was added to the ATPS, a 60-fold increase in selectivity was observed when compared to the non-functionalised systems.     

Direct purification of pectinase from mango (Mangifera Indica Cv. Chokanan) peel using a PEG/salt-based Aqueous Two Phase System

An Aqueous Two-Phase System (ATPS) was employed for the first time for the separation and purification of pectinase from mango (Mangifera Indica Cv. Chokanan) peel. The effects of different parameters such as molecular weight of the polymer (polyethylene glycol, 2,000-10,000), potassium phosphate composition (12-20%, w/w), system pH (6-9), and addition of different concentrations of neutral salts (0-8%, w/w) on partition behavior of pectinase were investigated. The partition coefficient of the enzyme was decreased by increasing the PEG molecular weight. Additionally, the phase composition showed a significant effect on purification factor and yield of the enzyme. Optimum conditions for purification of pectinase from mango peel were achieved in a 14% PEG 4000-14% potassium phosphate system using 3% (w/w) NaCl addition at pH 7.0. Based on this system, the purification factor of pectinase was increased to 13.2 with a high yield of (97.6%). Thus, this study proves that ATPS can be an inexpensive and effective method for partitioning of pectinase from mango peel.     

Partitioning of Porcine Pancreatic Lipase in a Two-Phase Systems of Polyethylene Glycol/Potassium Phosphate Aqueous

The hydrolysis of triglycerides at the oil–water interface, synthesis of esters and transesterification in microaqueous conditions are catalysed by lipase. For its application, a proper purification method was necessary. This study examined the application of an aqueous two-phase system to partition porcine pancreatic lipase. The influence of molecular weight and concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG), tie line length (TLL), potassium phosphate concentration, sodium chloride (NaCl) addition and temperature in the partition was studied. The enzyme was more efficiently purified in PEG 8,000 at 14.5 °C (PF?=?3.89-fold), presenting more recoveries at the top phase with shorter TLL and lower concentrations of PEG and potassium phosphate. Moreover, the increase of these variables repressed the purification and the further addition of NaCl did not promote the purification of the enzyme. These results demonstrated the efficiency of the aqueous two-phase system on lipase purification.     

Candida rugosa lipase Lip1–polyethyleneglycol interaction and the relation with its partition in aqueous two-phase systems

The interaction between a lipase from Candida rugosa (Lip1) and polyethyleneglycols of different molecular masses was studied using fluorescence and circular dichroism approaches in order to be applied to the analysis of the enzyme partition mechanism in aqueous two-phase systems of polyethyleneglycol–potassium phosphate. The decrease of the partition coefficients with the polyethyleneglycol molecular mass showed that the enzyme partition is driven by the excluded volume effect and not by the enzyme–polymer interaction. The polymer did not affect the secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme nor its biological activity. The lipase from Candida rugosa lyophilizate was partitioned in favour of the polyethyleneglycol rich phase; PEG 2000 being the system which showed the better enzyme recovery (78.26%) with a purification factor of 2.3. This method could be applied as a first step to isolate the enzyme from a culture medium with good recovery and without modifying the enzymatic capacity and the molecular structure.     

Prediction of the partitioning behaviour of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems using only their amino acid composition

The prediction of the partition behaviour of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) using mathematical models based on their amino acid composition was investigated. The predictive models are based on the average surface hydrophobicity (ASH). The ASH was estimated by means of models that use the three-dimensional structure of proteins and by models that use only the amino acid composition of proteins. These models were evaluated for a set of 11 proteins with known experimental partition coefficient in four-phase systems: polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000/phosphate, sulfate, citrate and dextran and considering three levels of NaCl concentration (0.0% w/w, 0.6% w/w and 8.8% w/w). The results indicate that such prediction is feasible even though the quality of the prediction depends strongly on the ATPS and its operational conditions such as the NaCl concentration. The ATPS 0 model which use the three-dimensional structure obtains similar results to those given by previous models based on variables measured in the laboratory. In addition it maintains the main characteristics of the hydrophobic resolution and intrinsic hydrophobicity reported before. Three mathematical models, ATPS I-III, based only on the amino acid composition were evaluated. The best results were obtained by the ATPS I model which assumes that all of the amino acids are completely exposed. The performance of the ATPS I model follows the behaviour reported previously, i.e. its correlation coefficients improve as the NaCl concentration increases in the system and, therefore, the effect of the protein hydrophobicity prevails over other effects such as charge or size. Its best predictive performance was obtained for the PEG/dextran system at high NaCl concentration. An increase in the predictive capacity of at least 54.4% with respect to the models which use the three-dimensional structure of the protein was obtained for that system. In addition, the ATPS I model exhibits high correlation coefficients in that system being higher than 0.88 on average. The ATPS I model exhibited correlation coefficients higher than 0.67 for the rest of the ATPS at high NaCl concentration. Finally, we tested our best model, the ATPS I model, on the prediction of the partition coefficient of the protein invertase. We found that the predictive capacities of the ATPS I model are better in PEG/dextran systems, where the relative error of the prediction with respect to the experimental value is 15.6%.     

Protein separation by nonsynchronous coil planet centrifuge with aqueous-aqueous polymer phase systems

Counter-current chromatographic separation of proteins was performed using a rotary-seal-free nonsynchronous coil planet centrifuge (CPC) fabricated in our laboratory. This apparatus has a unique feature that allows a freely adjustable rotational rate of the coiled separation column at a given revolution speed. The separation was performed using a set of stable proteins including cytochrome c, myoglobin and lysozyme with two different types of aqueous-aqueous polymer phase systems, i.e., PEG (polyethylene glycol) 1000-dibasic potassium phosphate, and PEG 8000-dextran T500 in 5 mM potassium phosphate buffer. Using a set of multilayer coiled columns prepared from 0.8 mm I.D. PTFE tubing with different volumes (11, 24, 39 ml), the effect of the column capacity on the partition efficiency was investigated under a given set of experimental conditions. Among these experiments, the best separation of proteins was attained using the 39 ml capacity column with a 12.5% (w/w) PEG 1000-12.5% (w/w) dibasic potassium phosphate system at 10 rpm of coil rotation under 800 rpm. With lower phase mobile at 0.2 ml/min in the head-to-tail elution, the resolution between cytochrome c and myoglobin was 1.6 and that between myoglobin and lysozyme, 1.9. With upper phase mobile in the head-to-tail elution, the resolution between lysozyme and myoglobin peaks was 1.5. In these two separations, the stationary phase retention was 35.0 and 33.3%, respectively. Further studies were carried out using a pair of eccentric coil assemblies with 0.8 mm I.D. PTFE tubing at a total capacity of 20 ml. A comparable resolution was obtained using both lower and upper phases as a mobile phase in a head-to-tail elution. The results of our studies demonstrate that the nonsynchronous CPC is useful for protein separation with aqueous-aqueous polymer phase systems.     

One-step purification of alpha-amylase from the cultivation supernatant of recombinant bacillus subtilis by high-speed counter-current chromatography with aqueous polymer two-phase systems

Purification of alpha-amylase from the cultivation supernatant of recombinant Bacillus subtilis by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000-inorganic salt aqueous polymer two-phase systems was studied. The effects of sodium chloride concentration on the partition coefficients of alpha-amylase and total protein were respectively tested in PEG4000-phosphate and PEG4000-citrate aqueous polymer two-phase systems to find the proper range of sodium chloride concentration for the HSCCC purification of alpha-amylase. Alpha-amylase was purified from the cultivation supernatant by HSCCC in PEG4000-phosphate system containing 2% (w/w) sodium chloride, yet with considerable loss of activity. PEG4000-citrate aqueous polymer two-phase system containing 2% (w/w) sodium chloride and supplemented with 0.56% (w/w) CaCl2 as protective agent was then successfully applied to purify alpha-amylase from cultivation supernatant by HSCCC to homogeneity and significantly increased the recovery of alpha-amylase activity from around 30 to 73.1%.     

Aqueous two-phase partitioning of milk proteins

Milk of transgenic pigs secreting recombinant human Protein C (rHPC) was used as a model system to determine the utility of aqueous two-phase extraction systems (ATPS) for the initial step in the purification of proteins from milk. The major challenges in purification of recombinant proteins from milk are removal of casein micelles (that foul processing equipment) and elimination of the host milk proteins from the final product. When milk was partitioned in ATPS composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ammonium sulfate (AS), the phases were clarified and most of the caseins precipitated at the interphase. The partition coefficients of the major milk proteins and rHPC were dependent upon the molecular weight of the PEG used in the ATPS. Higher-partition coefficients of the major whey proteins, Β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin were observed in ATPS made up of lower molecular-weight PEG (1000 or 1450) as compared to systems using higher molecular-weight PEG. Lowering the pH of the ATPS from 7.5 to 6.0 resulted in increased precipitation of the caseins and decreased their concentration in both phases. rHPC had a partition coefficient of 0.04 in a system composed of AS and PEG 1450. The rHPC in pig milk was shown to be highly heterogenous by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The heterogeneity was owing to inefficient proteolytic processing of the single chain to the heterodimeric form and differences in glycosylation and other post-translational processing. Differential partitioning of the multiple forms of purified rHPC in the ATPS was not observed. rHPC after processing in ATPS was recovered in a clear phase free of most major milk proteins. ATPS are useful as the initial processing step in the purification of recombinant proteins from milk because clarification and enrichment is combined in a single step.     

Xylanase recovery effect of extraction conditions on the aqueous two-phase system using experimental design

The partitioning of xylanase produced byPenicillium janthinellum in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and phosphate (K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄) was studied employing a statistical experimental design. The aim was to identify the key factors governing xylanase partitioning. The interactions of five factors (PEG concentration molecular weight, concentration of buffer K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄, pH, and NaCl concentration) and their main effects on the partition coefficient (K) were evaluated by means of a 2⁵ full-factorial experimental design with four center points. The %PEG, %NaCl, and pH were the most important factors affecting the response variable (K). Response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted and an empirical second-order polynomial model was constructed on the basis of the results. The optimum partition conditions were pH 7.0, PEG = 8.83% and NaCl = 6.02%. Adequacy of the model for predicting optimum response value was tested under these conditions. The experimental xylanase partition coefficient (K) was 2.21, whereas its value predicted by the model was 2.33. These results indicate that the predicted model was adequate for the process. PEG molecular weight and phosphate concentration did not affect the xylanase partition coefficient.     

Partition behavior and partial purification of hexokinase in aqueous two-phase polyethylene glycol/citrate systems

This study dealt with the partition behavior and partial purification of hexokinase (HK) from baker’s yeast by liquid-liquid extraction using aqueous two-phase polyethylene glycol (PEG)/citrate systems. First, we investigated the effect of agitation type (vortex and 8 rpm rotation) on the stability of the system, and then the effects of sodium citrate concentration, PEG concentration, and molar mass of PEG on the partition coefficient of this enzyme by using a 2⁵ factorial experimental design. The results of this factorial experiment showed the possibility of a partial purification of HK by using two extraction steps, since the enzyme preferentially migrated to the top phase and the total proteins (mainly contaminants) remained in the bottom phase. The purification factor (Pur _TOP) of the enzyme in the top phase was 1.87, and the partition coefficient of the total proteins (K _Prot ) was 0.47.     

Aqueous two-phase systems for protein separation: a perspective

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) that are formed by mixing a polymer (usually polyethylene glycol, PEG) and a salt (e.g. phosphate, sulphate or citrate) or two polymers and water can be effectively used for the separation and purification of proteins. The partitioning between both phases is dependent on the surface properties of the proteins and on the properties of the two phase system. The mechanism of partitioning is complex and not very easy to predict but, as this review paper shows, some very clear trends can be established. Hydrophobicity is the main determinant in the partitioning of proteins and can be measured in many different ways. The two methods that are more attractive, depending on the ATPS used (PEG/salt, PEG/polymer), are those that consider the 3-D structure and the hydrophobicity of AA on the surface and the one based on precipitation with ammonium sulphate (parameter 1/m*). The effect of charge has a relatively small effect on the partitioning of proteins in PEG/salt systems but is more important in PEG/dextran systems. Protein concentration has an important effect on the partitioning of proteins in ATPS. This depends on the higher levels of solubility of the protein in each of the phases and hence the partitioning observed at low protein concentrations can be very different to that observed at high concentrations. In virtually all cases the partition coefficient is constant at low protein concentration (true partitioning) and changes to a different constant value at a high overall protein concentration. Furthermore, true partitioning behavior, which is independent of the protein concentration, only occurs at relatively low protein concentration. As the concentration of a protein exceeds relatively low values, precipitation at the interface and in suspension can be observed. This protein precipitate is in equilibrium with the protein solubilized in each of the phases. Regarding the effect of protein molecular weight, no clear trend of the effect on partitioning has been found, apart from PEG/dextran systems where proteins with higher molecular weights partitioned more readily to the bottom phase. Bioaffinity has been shown in many cases to have an important effect on the partitioning of proteins. The practical application of ATPS has been demonstrated in many cases including a number of industrial applications with excellent levels of purity and yield. This separation and purification has also been successfully used for the separation of virus and virus-like particles.     

双水相萃取结合液相色谱法分离蛋白质

建立了PEG/( NH4)2SO4双水相体系萃取富集,结合液相色谱分离分析多种蛋白质的方法.考察了无机盐种类和浓度、PEG分子量、pH值和温度等因素对双水相形成以及对细胞色素C、肌红蛋白、牛血清白蛋白、溶菌酶、胰蛋白酶分配行为的影响.结果表明,上述5种蛋白在室温、pH 3.5～9.0范围内,可在15％ PEG-4000/10％ (NH4)2SO4双水相体系中得到富集,且主要集中在下相.同样条件下,血清中的高丰度蛋白在上下相均有分配,下相分配量较大.通过双水相萃取分离蛋白质及对液相色谱一定时间段的色谱峰收集,可初步实现血清中高丰度蛋白质的分离去除.     

Partition Efficiency of High-Pitch Locular Multilayer Coil for Countercurrent Chromatographic Separation of Proteins Using Small-Scale Cross-Axis Coil Planet Centrifuge and Application to Purification of Various Collagenases with Aqueous-Aqueous Polymer Phase Systems

Partition efficiency of the high-pitch locular multilayer coil was evaluated in countercurrent chromatographic (CCC) separation of proteins with an aqueous-aqueous polymer phase system using the small-scale cross-axis coil planet centrifuge (X-axis CPC) fabricated in our laboratory. The separation column was specially made by high-pitch (ca 5 cm) winding of 1.0 mm I.D., 2.0 mm O.D. locular tubing compressed at 2 cm intervals with a total capacity of 29.5 mL. The protein separation was performed using a set of stable proteins including cytochrome C, myoglobin, and lysozyme with the 12.5% (w/w) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000 and 12.5% (w/w) dibasic potassium phosphate system (pH 9.2) under 1000 rpm of column revolution. This high-pitch locular tubing yielded substantially increased stationary phase retention than the normal locular tubing for both lower and upper mobile phases. In order to demonstrate the capability of the high-pitch locular tubing, the purification of collagenase from the crude commercial sample was carried out using an aqueous-aqueous polymer phase system. Using the 16.0% (w/w) PEG 1000 - 6.3% (w/w) dibasic potassium phosphate - 6.3% (w/w) monobasic potassium phosphate system (pH 6.6), collagenase I, II, V and X derived from Clostridium hystolyticum were separated from other proteins and colored small molecular weight compounds present in the crude commercial sample, while collagenase N-2 and S-1 from Streptomyces parvulus subsp. citrinus were eluted with impurities at the solvent front with the upper phase. The collagenase from C. hystolyticum retained its enzymatic activity in the purified fractions. The overall results demonstrated that the high-pitch locular multilayer coil is effectively used for the CCC purification of bioactive compounds without loss of their enzymatic activities.     

Development of an aqueous two-phase partitioning system for fractionating therapeutic proteins from tobacco extract

In the present study, an aqueous two-phase partitioning system (ATPS) was developed and evaluated as an initial fractionation step for therapeutic antibodies and enzymes from tobacco extracts. A detailed study has been performed to analyze the effect of pH, ionic composition of the system, types of polymers and their molecular weight and concentration, on the partitioning behavior of tobacco proteins and human anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) monoclonal antibody 2F5 (mAb 2F5). A polyethyleneglycol/phosphate (PEG/Pi) aqueous two-phase system composed of 12% (w/w) PEG 1500 and 13% (w/w) phosphate buffer, pH 5, was selected as the system with the highest selectivity of antibody over native tobacco proteins. Under selected conditions, sufficient purification (3-4-fold) with high recovery at the bottom phase (approximately 95%) was achieved for mAb 2F5. In addition, the system allows removal of plant-derived compounds, such as phenolics and toxic alkaloids. The antibody fraction may be directly applied to a Protein A affinity column without any further pre-treatment, thus allowing homogenous antibody preparation. Analysis of the purified antibody fraction by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot showed that the antibody was fully active and free of degraded variants or modified forms. The efficacy of the system was further demonstrated using additional proteins and enzymes of therapeutic importance, such as neuraminidase (NA) from influenza virus and human anti-HIV monoclonal antibody 2G12 (mAb 2G12), and showed that the system may find wide applicability as an economic extraction strategy for the initial fractionation of biopharmaceuticals from transgenic tobacco plants.     

Application of centrifugal precipitation chromatography and high-speed counter-current chromatography equipped with a spiral tubing support rotor for the isolation and partial characterization of carotenoid cleavage-like enzymes in Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees

Centrifugal precipitation chromatography and a high-speed counter-current chromatography system equipped with a spiral tubing support rotor (spHSCCC) were successfully applied for the identification and isolation of carotenoid cleavage-like enzymes from Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees. This is the first study separating active enzymes from a complex natural matrix by spHSCCC. The target enzymes were identified after fractionation of the proteins in an acetone Tris-buffer gradient by centrifugal precipitation chromatography. Also, an aqueous two-phase solvent system consisting of PEG 1000 and mono- and dibasic potassium phosphate was used for the isolation of the enzymes by spHSCCC. The purified fractions contained two proteins of 65 and 72 kDa, respectively. The enzymes could cleave β-carotene and β-apo-8'-carotenal to produce β-ionone.     

Extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris using aqueous two-phase system of poly(ethylene glycol)-(NH4)2SO4 coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography

Based on aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–(NH₄)₂SO₄, a simple pretreatment approach was developed for the extraction and determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris. The influence factors on phase behavior of the ATPS and partition behavior of papaverin was investigated, and partition mechanism based on the hydrophobic interaction between PEG and analyte molecules was proposed. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction efficiencies for papaverin were 93–96%, and the recoveries of the added standard were 97–106% with relative standard deviations of 1.8–2.5%. Combined with a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, this extraction technique has been successfully applied to the determination of papaverin in pericarpium papaveris with the detection limit of 2 ng mL⁻¹ and the linear range of 0.10–10 μg mL⁻¹. Compared with the conventional liquid–liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction, this method was more environmentally benign, more cost effective and much simpler due to the direct injection of the upper phase into HPLC system.