EXTRACTION OF LYSOZYME USING REVERSED MICELLAR SOLUTION - DISTRIBUTION EQUILIBRIUM AND EXTRACTION RATES

Studies were made of the extraction of lysozyme from aqueous KCl media with an isooctane solution containing Aerosol OT (AOT). The distribution equilibrium of the protein between the aqueous and the organic phases was explained in terms of two effects: an electrostatic interaction between the charged proteins and AOT headgroups, and a size exclusion effect due to water pool of the reverse micelles. The amount of water solubilized into the surfactant solution was correlated with both concentrations of the salt and AOT. It was found that the micellar solution saturated with proteins has a limiting content that depends on only water content of the organic phase. Furthermore, rates of both the forward and backward extraction of lysozyme were examined in a stirred transfer cell. In the stripping of the protein from the micellar solution, it was found that there is a dominant resistance to leave it at the oil-water interface.