Liquid-liquid extraction by reversed micelles in biotechnological processes

In biotechnology there is a need for new purification and concentration pro cesses for biologically active compounds such as proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, or cells that combine a high selectivity and biocompatibility with an easy scale-up. A liquid-liquid extraction with a reversed micellar phase might serve these purposes owing to its capacity to solubilize specific bi omolecules from dilute aqueous solutions such as fermentation and cell cult ure media. Reversed micelles are aggregates of surfactant molecules contain ing an inner core of water molecules, dispersed in a continuous organic sol vent medium. These reversed micelles are capable of selectively solubilizin g polar compounds in an apolar solvent. This review gives an overview of li quid-liquid extraction by reversed micelles for a better understanding of t his process.