Liquid membrane extraction of Cephalosporin-C from fermentation broth

The extraction of Cephalosporin-C (CPC) from dilute fermentation broth of C ephalosporium acremonium was studied in a bull; liquid membrane as well as in an emulsion liquid membrane system. Aliquat-336 was used as the extracti ng agent to provide facilitated transport of CPC via liquid-liquid ion exch ange mechanism. By maintaining an appropriate pH gradient in the feed and r eceiving phases, facilitated uphill transport could be achieved in the bulk liquid membrane system. The culture broth contains CPC and deacetyl CPC (D CPC) which are structurally almost similar, but CPC is more hydrophobic in nature. Selective separation of CPC could be achieved in a suitably formula ted liquid membrane system. A simple mass transfer model predicts the perme ation rate in the bulk liquid membrane. The permeation process in an emulsi on liquid membrane appears to be controlled by the aqueous boundary layer r esistance and diffusion in the emulsion globule. This is perhaps the first demonstration of the liquid membrane as an effective technique for selectiv e extraction of CPC from fermentation broth of Cephalosporium acremonium. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.