Adsorption Studies of Tryptophan in a BSA Coated Surface in Semi-Batch Fractionation and Microchannel

In bio processing industries, foam fractionation is extensively used for the separation and purification of solutes from a mixture at low concentrations at room temperature. In this work we discuss the absorption of tryptophan using a semi-batch foam fractionation method and a microfluidic channel. The concentrations of tryptophan is analyzed using a spectrophotometer. First the adsorption of BSA is studied at different ionic concentration to determine the optimal conditions i.e pH and initial concentration. For these optimized condition in a foam fractionation column, adsorption studies are further carried out in a microchannel.

Foam fractionation in a micro channel can be operated with both phases flowing continuously. This eliminates the challenge of vertical drainage. In this work we have designed a microchannel where the two phases i.e. foamate and the residual aqueous solution are separated at the outlet. The hydrodynamics of the system is first analysed^2,3. Nitrogen is used as the gas phase and the liquid phase is an aqueous solution of CTAB, BSA and tryptophan in Milli Q. The flow patterns observed are analysed and the parameter space in which they occur are determined. The absorption of tryptophan on the bubble coated with BSA is analysed in this system for varying enrichment ratio of BSA. A mathematical model is used to predict the performance of the absorption of tryptophan on the bubble coated with BSA. The model predictions are compared with experimental results.