CELL HARVESTING BY CROSS-FLOW MICROFILTRATION USING A SHEAR-ENHANCED MODULE

Protein, produced by a bacterial culture of recombinant Vibrio cholera e, was separated from cells in a fermentation broth by cross-flow micr ofiltration. A new, mechanically agitated (rotational) shear filter, t he DMF(TM) filter from Pall, was used to perform the separation. Highe r protein recovery and permeate flux than commonly obtained during cel l harvesting were demonstrated using sixfold concentration followed by twofold diafiltration. The transmembrane pressure only increased by 1 0 kPa when the flux was kept constant at 150 L/m(2) h during both conc entration and diafiltration. The protein transmission was about 100% i nitially, and over 90% at the end of the concentration process. The pr otein transmission during the diafiltration was over 80%. The total re covery of protein was 97%. When using an enzymatic cleaning agent, no significant pure water flux decrease was detected during the course of the experiments. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.