Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of Trametes Versicolor Laccase Within Microfluidic Device: Experiments and Modeling

ATPS offers several advantages compared to traditional extraction with organic solvents, particularly regarding to the non-denaturing conditions and high biocompatibility The polyethylene glycol (PEG)/phosphate aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was used for extraction of commercial Trametes versicolor laccase within a Ψ-branched inflow and outflow glass microchannel. The flow rates of both phases entering Ψ-branched were selected in order to enable the separation of phases at the exit of microchannels in microfluidic device. Due to decreased scales in Ψ-branched microchannel, the extraction of laccase from phosphate-rich phase to PEG-rich phase reached equilibrium with the highest obtained extracted fraction of laccase of 65 % (w/w). The diffusion coefficients for laccase in both phases were determined based on the experimental data obtained in a short Y-junction microfluidic chip and the corresponding mathematical model. Furthermore, a 3D mathematical model in dimensionless form was developed comprising convection and diffusion terms at steady state conditions and it was validated by experimental results in order to forecast the performance for a wide range of flow rates.