APPLICATION OF PLURONIC-F68 FOR AQUEOUS 2-PHASE EXTRACTION OF PROTEINS

Studies were made of the application of a block copolymer of polyethyl ene oxide and polypropylene oxide, Pluronic F68, to aqueous two-phase extraction of proteins. For Pluronic F68/salt systems, the effects of temperature, salt concentration and pH on the binodials and protein pa rtitioning were studied. Pluronic F68/salt system had a region in whic h Pluronic F68 becomes solid in phase diagram at 25-degrees-C. Partiti oning of the proteins between the two phases could be controlled by va rying salt composition. Further applicability of the Pluronic F68/ammo nium sulfate system was examined for the purification of monoclonal an tibodies from various hybridoma culture broths. Aqueous two-phase extr action provided a simple and rapid separation and concentration method with high recovery.