Recovery of Nanoparticles Bioproducts through Adsorption Process; Nanotechnology in Biotechnology Process

Abstract

The adsorbents employed in this study for the recovery of BSA and HSA nanoparticles had one of four discrete designs e.g. microporous (pore size <0.2 ∝m), macroporous (pore size >0.8 ∝m), solid phase (non-porous) and pellicular (pore size <0.5 ∝m). Soluble protein was included in the study to represent cellular components of complex feedstocks and the separation of assemblies from components, whilst nanoparticulate protein, served as surrogate size and charge mimics of less easily sourced viral and plasmid gene therapy vectors. Candidate adsorbents were physically characterized to assess their suitability for fluidized bed operation and biochemically characterized exploiting batch binding experimentation and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The adsorptive capacity of nanoparticulate products was strongly influenced by the physical design of the adsorbents and microporous adsorbents appeared to be less suited for the recovery of nanoparticulate products. The generic application of such adsorbents for the recovery of nanoparticulate bioproducts is strongly discussed.