SEPARATION OF BIOMOLECULES USING ADSORPTIVE MEMBRANES

The efficient recovery of labile biomolecules requires rapid, reliable separation processes using mild conditions. Adsorptive membranes are available in a range of chemistries and geometries which permit their application as clarification, concentration, fractionation and purification tools in a biorecovery sequence. Available devices exhibit low backpressure, short residence times and high volumetric throughputs relative to conventional chromatographic packed beds. Non-uniform flow, dead volumes and backmixing observed in some adsorptive membrane systems preclude them from achieving substantial improvements in resolution relative to conventional packed beds. Improvements in design and operation of these systems should increase their separation performance tenfold. Adsorptive separations using affinity, ion-exchange and hydrophobic membranes are reviewed.