"On the Collander equation": protein partitioning in polymer/polymer aqueous two-phase systems

Distribution coefficients of randomly selected proteins were measured in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) formed by different combinations of Dextran-75 (Dex), Ficoll-70, polyethylene glycol-8000 (PEG), hydroxypropyl starch-100 (PES), and Ucon50HB5100 (Ucon, a random copolymer of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol) at particular polymer concentrations, all containing 0.15M NaCl in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Most of the proteins in the PEG-Ucon system precipitated at the interface. In the other ATPSs, namely, PES-PEG, PES-Ucon, Ficoll-PEG, Ficoll-Ucon, and in Dex-PEG and Dex-Ucon described earlier the distribution coefficients for the proteins were correlated according to the solvent regression equation: lnKi=aiolnKo+bio, where Ki and Ko are the distribution coefficients for any protein in the ith and oth two-phase systems. Coefficients aio and bio are constants, the values of which depend upon the particular compositions of the two-phase systems under comparison.     

Solvent properties governing protein partitioning in polymer/polymer aqueous two-phase systems

Distribution coefficients of various proteins were measured in aqueous Dextran-Ficoll, Dextran-PES, and Ficoll-PES two-phase systems, containing 0.15M NaCl in 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. The acquired data were combined with data for the same proteins in different systems reported previously and known solvatochromic solvent properties of the systems to characterize the protein-solvent interactions. The relative susceptibilities of proteins to solvent dipolarity/polarizability, solvent hydrogen bond acidity, solvent hydrogen bond basicity, and solvent ability to participate in ion-ion and ion-dipole interactions were characterized. These parameters, which are representative of solute-solvent interactions, adequately described the partitioning of the proteins in each system. It was found that the relative susceptibilities of proteins to solvent dipolarity/polarizability are interrelated with their relative susceptibilities to solvent hydrogen bond acidity and solvent hydrogen bond basicity similarly to those established previously for small nonionic organic compounds.     

Solute partitioning in polymer–salt ATPS: The Collander equation

The partition coefficients for several solutes (five nitrophenylated-monosaccharides and four proteins) were experimentally determined, at 23 °C, in three different tie-lines of two polymer–salt aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS): UCON-K₂HPO₄ and UCON-NaH₂PO₄. These partition coefficients together with others obtained from the literature for five dinitrophenylated-amino acids were used to investigate the suitability of the Collander equation to correlate partition coefficients in polymer–salt ATPS. This equation was first proposed to describe the linear correlation between partition coefficients of solutes in different water–organic solvent systems. More recently, it was proved that partition coefficients for several biomolecules in polymer–polymer ATPS can also be correlated with this equation. In this work, several correlations were tested: partition coefficients obtained for different tie-lines within the same system and also partition coefficients obtained from different systems. In both cases, a linear relation was observed, despite a less satisfactory correlation was found when different ATPS were compared. Overall, it was demonstrated that the Collander equation can be used to satisfactorily correlate solute partitioning in the studied polymer–salt ATPS.     

Drop formation in aqueous two-phase systems

Extraction using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) is a versatile technique for the downstream processing of various proteins/enzymes. The study of drop formation deals with the fundamental understanding of the behavior of liquid drops under the influence of various external body as well as surface forces. These studies provide a basis for designing of the extractions in column contactors in which liquid drops play a major role. Most of the drop formation studies reported so far is restricted to aqueous-organic systems. ATPSs, differ from aqueous-organic systems in their physical properties. In view of this, an attempt was made to develop a model for drop formation in ATPSs adopting the information available on aqueous-organic systems. In order to validate the model, experiments were performed by using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/salt systems of different phase compositions at various flow rates. At low flow rates the single stage model and at high flow rates the two stage model are able to predict the drop volume during its formation from tip of capillary. The experimental results were found to agree reasonably well with those predicted by the model.     

Partitioning behavior of amino acids in aqueous two-phase systems containing polyethylene glycol and phosphate buffer

The partitioning behavior of four amino acids, cysteine, phenylalanine, methionine, and lysine in 15 aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) with different polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecular weights and phosphate buffers has been studied in the present paper. The phase diagrams of the systems are investigated together with the effect of the PEG molecular weight and pH of the phosphate solutions. The composition of these systems and some parameters such as density and refractive index are determined. The influences of salts in ATPSs, side chain structure of the amino acids, pH of ATPSs, and the PEG molecular weight on the distribution ratios of the amino acids have been studied. This work is useful for the purification of amino acids and the separation of some proteins whose main surface exposed amino acid residues are these four amino acids, respectively.     

Extraction of the antimicrobial peptide cerein 8A by aqueous two-phase systems and aqueous two-phase micellar systems

Cerein 8A is an antimicrobial peptide with potential application against food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. The partitioning of cerein 8A was investigated in two liquid-liquid extraction systems that are considered promising for bioseparation and purification purposes. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) were prepared with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and inorganic salts, and the addition of NaCl was investigated in this system. The best results concerning partition coefficients (K (b)) were obtained with PEG?+?ammonium sulphate, and K (b) value significantly increases when NaCl was added. Cerein 8A was effectively extracted into the micelle-rich phase in a 4% Triton X-114 medium. Recovery yield was higher for ATPS compared to micellar systems. Cerein 8A can be isolated from a crude suspension containing the bioactive molecule by ATPSs. Successful implementation of peptide partitioning represents an important step towards developing a low-cost effective separation method for cerein 8A.     

Effect of anionic structure on the phase formation and hydrophobicity of amino acid ionic liquids aqueous two-phase systems

Compared with the conventional ionic liquids, amino acid ionic liquids are more biodegradable and biocompatible, and can enhance stability of biomaterials. In this work, amino acid ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium L-serine ([C(4)mim][Ser]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium glycine ([C(4)mim][Gly]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium L-alanine ([C(4)mim][Ala]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium L-leucine ([C(4)mim][Leu]) have been synthesized. These ionic liquids are found to form aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) by the salted-out of K(3)PO(4) in aqueous solutions. Phase diagram of the ATPSs and the Gibbs energies of transfer of methylene group from the bottom salt-rich phase to the top ionic liquid-rich phase have been determined at 298.15K and pH 14, and the effect of anionic structure of the ionic liquids on phase formation of the ATPSs and the relative hydrophobicity between the top and the bottom phases are then examined. In order to understand the effect of relative hydrophobicity of the phases in equilibrium in the ATPSs on the extraction/separation capability of biomolecules, the partition coefficients of cytochrome-c (as a model biomolecule) in the ATPSs are measured by spectrophotometry. It is suggested that hydrophobic interactions are mainly responsible for the higher partition coefficients of cytochrome-c in aqueous two-phase systems at pH 14, and the extraction and separation capacity of biomolecules can be improved by the modulation of the relative hydrophobicity of the phases and/or the pH of the system.     

Preconcentration of copper on ion-selective imprinted polymer microbeads

Molecular recognition-based separation techniques have received much attention in various fields because of their high selectivity for target molecules. Molecular imprinting has been recognized as a promising technique for the preparation of such systems. In this study, we have prepared a novel molecular imprinted adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions with high selectivity. The Cu(II)-imprinted poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate–methacryloylamidohistidine/Cu(II)) (poly(EGDMA–MAH/Cu(II))) microbeads with an average size of 150–200 μm were prepared by dispersion polymerization. These Cu(II) imprinted microbeads were used in the adsorption–desorption of copper(II) ions from metal solutions. Adsorption equilibria was achieved in about 1 h. The maximum adsorption of Cu(II) ions onto imprinted microbeads was about 48 mg/g. The pH significantly affected the adsorption capacity of imprinted microbeads. The observed adsorption order under competitive conditions was Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II) in mass basis. The imprinted microbeads can be easily regenerated by 0.1 M EDTA solution with higher effectiveness. The imprinted microbeads showed excellent selectivity for the target molecule (i.e. Cu(II) ions due to molecular geometry). These features make imprinted microbeads very good candidate for selective removal of Cu(II) ions at high adsorption capacity. Detection limit was increased at least 1000-folds with the preconcentration approach using the imprinted microbeads. The method was also applied to certified reference and seawater samples.     

Vapour–liquid equilibria, azeotropic data, excess enthalpies, activity coefficients at infinite dilution and solid–liquid equilibria for binary alcohol–ketone systems

Isothermal vapour–liquid equilibria (VLE), solid–liquid equilibria and excess enthalpies have been measured for the systems cyclohexanone + cyclohexanol and 2-octanone + 1-hexanol. Additionally in this paper binary azeotropic data at different pressures for 1-pentanol + 2-heptanone and 1-hexanol + 2-octanone have been determined with the help of a wire band column. Furthermore activity coefficients at infinite dilution for methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol and 1-propanol in 2-octanone at different temperatures have been measured with the help of the dilutor technique. These data together with literature data for alcohol–ketone systems were used to fit temperature-dependent group interaction parameters for the group contribution method modified UNIFAC (Dortmund) and the group contribution equation of state VTPR.     

Measurement and correlation of partition coefficients of hydrolytic enzymes for dextran+poly (ethylene glycol) + water aqueous two-phase systems at 20°C

The partition coefficients of hydrolytic enzymes, α-amylase, β-amylase and glucoamylase for the dextran (DEX)+poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)+water aqueous two-phase systems with various polymer molecular weights were measured at 20°C. The partition coefficients obtained were correlated by using a mod fied Flory-Huggins equation which was empirically proposed for aqueous systems. The interaction parameters required were determined by fitting the model to the experimental data. The partition coefficients could be correlated with good agreement.     

Up/Down Tuning of Poly(ionic liquid)s in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

Thermally induced reversible up/down migration of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) was achieved for the first time in this study. Novel ATPSs were fabricated using azobenzene (Azo)- and benzyl (Bn)-modified PILs, and their upper and lower phases could be easily tuned using the grafting degree (GD) of the Azo and Bn groups. Bn-PIL with higher GD_Bn could go up into the upper phase and Azo-PIL come down to the lower phase when the temperature increased (>65 °C); this behavior was reversed at lower temperatures. Moreover, a reversible two-phase/single-phase transition was realized under UV irradiation. Experimental and simulation results revealed that the difference in the hydration capacity between Bn-PIL and Azo-PIL accounted for their unique phase-separation behavior. A versatile platform for fabricating ATPSs with tunable stimuli-responsive behavior can be realized based on our findings, which can broaden their applications in the fields of smart separation systems and functional material development.     

Pressurized liquid extraction with in-cell clean-up followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the selective determination of parabens and triclosan in indoor dust

This work studied the possibility of using polyethyleimine (PEI) as an affinity ligand for the purification of plasmid DNA (pDNA) from alkaline lysates using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs). The goal was to find conditions under which this cationic polymer could steer the partition of pDNA to the phase where less impurities accumulate. In poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/ammonium sulphate systems, neither free nor PEGylated PEI (pPEI) were able to change the partition of pDNA. This is probably due to the high salt concentration present in these systems that impair the interaction between pDNA and PEI. In PEG 3350/dextran 110 systems, the desired effect could be observed but 0.2-0.5M ammonium sulphate had to be added to prevent the co-partition of RNA to the same phase. These results were used to develop a methodology to obtain polyplexes from alkaline lysates in a two-step ATPSs extraction process. In the first step, a PEG 600/ammonium sulphate system is used to remove most impurities to the top phase. The pDNA-containing bottom phase is then isolated and contacted with a second PEG 3350/dextran 110 system supplemented with a small amount of pPEI (0.2%). Plasmid yield was 100% and the final preparation had no RNA and only small amounts of contaminant protein. Additionally, pDNA was obtained in the form of 53nm-sized polyplexes which are likely to suit specific gene delivery applications.     

Liquid–Liquid Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Modeling of Aqueous Two-Phase System Containing Polypropylene Glycol and NaClO<Subscript>4</Subscript> at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (288.15 and 298.15) K

In this work the phase equilibrium of an aqueous two phase system (ATPS) containing polypropylene glycol (PPG, molecular weight = 425 kg·mol^?1) and NaClO₄ was investigated at atmospheric pressure and at 288.15 and 298.15 K. Two phase regions and composition of phases were determined. Our results show that as the temperature increases, the two-phase region expands. Also, the extended UNIQUAC (E-UNIQUAC) equation was used to correlate the equilibrium data. To reduce the number of adjustable parameters, ATPSs composed of PEG and PPG were collected from the literature and simultaneously correlated using the E-UNIQUAC model. Also, the effect of temperature on the liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) was considered by using temperature-dependent parameters. In the modeling, two different scenarios were supposed. In the first, polymer and salt were treated as solutes (Case A), while in the second, the pseudo-solvent approach was considered (Case B). The results showed good agreement with experimental data in both cases. The average absolute deviation of the model using Case B was about 0.2% and that for Case A was about 2% in the ATPS composed of PEG. Meanwhile, the reported errors in the ATPS containing PPG for Case A and Case B were almost equal.     

Static light scattering study of complex formation between protein and neutral water-soluble polymer

Complex formation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,720,000 g/mol with human serum albumin (HSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and lysozyme (LYZ) was studied in an aqueous medium containing 0.01 M NaCl and adjusted to pH 3. The polymer–protein mixtures at different molar ratios (r_m) were examined by static light scattering (SLS). The analysis of SLS data using our own approach [Kokufuta et al., Langmuir 15 (1999) 940; Biomacromolecules 4 (2003) 728] showed that the molecular weight of each resulting complex is smaller than that of the interpolymer complex composed of two polymer chains plus one protein. This indicates the formation of an intrapolymer complex in all the polymer–protein systems studied. Thus, at each r_m we calculated the number of bound proteins per polymer, the value of which was OVA > HSA > LYZ in order. These results were compared with the hydropathy profiles of each protein which are a good tool for obtaining an information about distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments in a protein. It has become apparent that the hydrophobic interaction between polymer and protein plays an important role in the intrapolymer complex formation.     

Preparation of a novel light-sensitive copolymer and its application in recycling aqueous two-phase systems

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) are potential bioseparation techniques in industry. However, a key problem is that aqueous two-phase systems could not be effectively recycled to result in high cost and environment pollution. Recently, how to prepare recycling copolymers forming aqueous two-phase systems is focused on in the area. In this study, a light-sensitive copolymer (P(NNC)) was synthesized by using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), chlorophyllin sodium copper salt (CHL) as monomers. The copolymer P(NNC) can form ATPSs with another novel pH-sensitive copolymer (P(ADB)) which was synthesized by co-worker in our laboratory. Over 98% of the P(NNC) copolymer could be recovered by using laser radiation at 488nm. The copolymer P(ADB) could be recovered by adjusting the isoelectric point (pI) to 4.1, with a recovery of 97%. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Tyr were partitioned in the P(NNC)-P(ADB) aqueous two-phase systems to examine the systems. It was found that partition coefficient of BSA and L-Tyr could reach 4.1 and 0.12 in the systems, respectively.     

Abraham Model Expressions for Describing Water-to-Diethylene Glycol and Gas-to-Diethylene Glycol Solute Transfer Processes at 298.15 K

A gas chromatographic headspace analysis method was used to experimentally determine gas-to-liquid partition coefficients and infinite dilution activity dilution for 14 different aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons (alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes), eight different aromatic compounds (benzene, alkylbenzenes, halobenzenes), five different chloroalkanes (dichloromethane, trichloromethane, 1-chlorobutane, 1,2-dichloropropane, isopropylbromide), tetrahydrofuran, butyl acetate, and acetonitrile dissolved in diethylene glycol at 298.15 K. Solubilities were also measured at 298.15 K for 31 crystalline nonelectrolyte organic solutes including several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and substituted benzoic acid derivatives. The experimental results of the headspace chromatographic and spectroscopic solubility measurements were converted to gas-to-diethylene glycol and water-to-diethylene glycol partition coefficients, and molar solubility ratios using standard thermodynamic relationships. Expressions were derived for solute transfer into diethylene glycol from the calculated partition coefficients and solubility ratios. Mathematical correlations based on the Abraham model describe the observed partition coefficient and solubility data to within 0.14 log₁₀ units (or less).     

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%.     

Effect of salt additives on partition of nonionic solutes in aqueous PEG-sodium sulfate two-phase system

Partition of 12 nonionic organic compounds in aqueous PEG-8000-Na(2)SO(4) two-phase system was examined. Effects of four salt additives (NaCl, NaSCN, NaClO(4), and NaH(2)PO(4)) in the concentration range from 0.027 up to ca. 1.9 M on binodal curve of PEG-sulfate two-phase system and solute partitioning were explored. It was found that different salt additives at the relatively high concentrations display different effects on both phase separation and partition of various nonionic solutes. Analysis of the results indicates that the PEG-Na(2)SO(4) ATPS with the up to 0.215 M NaCl concentration may be viewed as similar to the ATPS without NaCl in terms of the Collander equation's predictive ability of the partitioning behavior of nonionic compounds. All ATPS with each of the salt additive used at the concentration of 0.027 M may be viewed as similar to each other as the Collander equation holds for partition coefficients of nonionic solutes in these ATPS. Collander equation is valid also for the compounds examined in the ATPS with additives of NaSCN and NaClO(4) at the concentrations up to 0.215 M. The observed similarity between these ATPS might be explained by the similar effects of these two salts on the water structure. At concentrations of the salt additives exceeding the aforementioned values, different effects of salt additives on partitioning of various nonionic solutes are displayed. In order to explain these effects of salt additives it is necessary to examine the intensities of different solute-solvent interactions in these ATPS within the framework of the so-called Linear Solvation Energy Relationship (LSER) model.     

Liquid–Liquid Phase Equilibrium and Ion-Exchange Exploration for Aqueous Two-Phase Systems of ([C4mim]Cl + K2CO3 or K3C6H5O7 + water) at Different Temperatures

Journal of Solution Chemistry - Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data and phase diagrams for new aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride...     

Abraham Model Correlations for Triethylene Glycol Solvent Derived from Infinite Dilution Activity Coefficient,Partition Coefficient and Solubility Data Measured at 298.15 K

A gas chromatographic headspace analysis method was used to experimentally determine gas-to-liquid partition coefficients and infinite dilution activity coefficients for 29 liquid organic solutes dissolved in triethylene glycol at 298.15 K. Solubilities were also determined at 298.15 K for 23 crystalline nonelectrolyte organic compounds in triethylene glycol based on spectroscopic absorbance measurements. The experimental results of the headspace chromatographic and spectroscopic solubility measurements were converted to gas-to-triethylene glycol and water-to-triethylene glycol partition coefficients, and molar solubility ratios using standard thermodynamic relationships. Expressions were derived for solute transfer into triethylene glycol by combining our measured experimental values with published literature data. Mathematical correlations based on the Abraham model describe the observed partition coefficient and solubility data to within 0.16 log₁₀ units (or less).