ULTRAFILTRATION OF FERMENTED BROTHS AND SOLVENT-EXTRACTION OF ANTIBIOTICS

Experiments of ultrafiltration with diafiltration were SI performed on fermented broths of benzylpenicillin and SL clavulanic acid produced at pilot scale at CIPAN, SA to achieve solid/liquid separation, antibiotic recovery and soluble protein retention. This study was done using a laboratorial/pilot scale ultrafiltration facility from Paterson Candy International Ltd. whose modules have a tubular configuration. PVDF membranes with a molecular weight cut-off of 100 000 (FP10) and 200 000 (FP200) were assessed. Comparison between solvent extraction of benzylpenicillin and clavulanic acid from filtered broth and ultrafiltered broth was also done. It was concluded that ultrafiltration with diafiltration of fermented broths of antibiotics using the FP10 membrane is a valid alternative to the use of rotary vacuum filters, flocculants and filter aid, deserving a further study to establish the best operating conditions. An economic appraisal also seems to be of paramount importance.