Use of fluorescence labelling to monitor protein fractionation by ultrafiltration under controlled permeate flux

This work focuses on investigating the fractionation of proteins by membran e ultrafiltration under controlled permeate flux. The results obtained usin g beta-lactoglobulin and gamma-globulin lead to the conclusion that under c ontrolled flux it is possible to reduce transmission of the oversize protei n and thus improve protein fractionation. This technique ensures the highes t possible rejection for the most rejected component, which is crucial to o btain a good protein separation. To monitor transmission of each protein a fluorescence detection technique was developed, using different fluorescent probes to label different protei ns. This allows off-line and continuous on-line monitoring of protein trans mission. Direct visualisation of protein rejection by ultrafiltration under different operating conditions was also possible via fluorescence microsco py using fluorescent probes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. AU nights reser ved.