Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) based on Pluronic L-35, a (EO) x -(PO) y -(EO) x triblock copolymer, were determined and applied in the separation of two structurally similar flavonoids (naringin and rutin). Two sets of phase formers were paired with Pluronic L-35, one comprising conventional salts/buffer and other including cholinium-based ionic liquids (ILs). It is shown that while the conventional salts induce an unbalanced and strong salting out leading to complete extraction of flavonoids to the same phase in most of the cases (84.7 ± 0.6% ≤ R NAR ≤ 100% and 53.2 ± 0.5% ≤ R RUT ≤ 99.7 ± 0.1% with selectivities ranging from 1 to 11.8), the cholinium-based ILs provide an enhanced extractive performance. Indeed, these novel cholinium ILs/ Pluronic L-35-based ABS allowed the manipulation of the affinity of both naringin and rutin to opposite phases, thus yielding a selective separation. The best results were achieved for the system using [Ch][Bic] as phase former (R NAR = 89.6 ± 0.3 and R RUT = 32 ± 2 with a selectivity of 18.9). An integrated approach based on the sequential implementation of Na 2 SO 4 /Pluronic L-35-(step 1) and [Ch][Bic]/Pluronic L-35-based (step 2) ABS was designed to purify the flavonoids from a complex synthetic mixture simulating natural extracts. Remarkably, glucose (the main contaminant) was removed during step 1 with an extraction efficiency of 60 ± 4% to the Na 2 SO 4 -rich phase, while step 2 has enabled the efficient separation of naringin from rutin.
Aiming at outlining new strategies for the valorization of solid pharmaceutical wastes as viable alternatives to incineration, this work proposes the use of ionic liquids-based three phase partitioning (IL-based TPP) systems. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen, all belonging to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), were adopted as model compounds. An integrated process has been conceptualized based on three steps: (1) extraction and purification of NSAIDs using the IL-based TPP systems, (2) drug isolation by precipitation with antisolvents, and (3) recycling and reusing the solvents. With the optimization of steps 1 and 2 as objects of this investigation, aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) composed of three distinct ILs (tetrabutylammonium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, and benzyldimethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride) and potassium citrate buffer were studied. The corresponding IL-based TPP systems were further applied in the purification of each NSAID, and different antisolvents (citric acid aqueous solutions for ibuprofen and naproxen and aluminum sulfate aqueous solutions for ketoprofen) were evaluated as precipitating agents to isolate each drug. The success of the process developed is demonstrated by extraction efficiencies higher than 83.8 ± 7.7% attained in step 1 and isolation efficiencies higher than 76.2 ± 1.8% in step 2. The stability of the three NSAIDs in IL-based aqueous matrices was additionally checked by using a protocol adapted from the OECD guidelines. The economic efficiency and environmental benignity of the process herein developed is underlined, based on not only the low cost of the solvents chosen but also the possibility of recycling and reusing the phase-forming components and antisolvents employed.
BACKGROUND The demand for colorants from natural bio‐based sources is increasing. Violacein is a natural purple‐blue hydrophobic pigment with interesting bioactivity whose expression in genetically modified Yarrowia lipolytica production was successfully achieved. RESULTS In this work, several surfactants were tested in the extraction of violacein from Y. lipolytica cells, and the operational conditions were optimized to maximize the extraction yield. After the optimization, the purification of violacein using aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) composed of Tween 20 and cholinium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) was pursued. The ABS were characterized and applied in the separation of violacein from contaminant proteins, reaching a maximum selectivity of 155 with violacein being fully concentrated in the Tween 20‐rich phase, with 80% of the contaminant proteins present in the extract being removed. CONCLUSION This work led to a conceptual downstream process based on a first step of (solid–liquid) extraction and a second step addressing the separation of violacein from contaminant proteins using ABS. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Bacterioruberin and proteins were recovered from a marine bacterium by using aqueous solutions of surface-active compounds.
Microalgae have an outstanding capacity to efficiently produce value-added compounds. They have been inspiring researchers worldwide to develop a blue biorefinery, supporting the development of the bioeconomy, tackling the environmental crisis, and mitigating the depletion of natural resources. In this review, the characteristics of the carotenoids produced by microalgae are presented and the downstream processes developed to recover and purify them are analyzed, considering their main applications. The ongoing activities and initiatives taking place in Portugal regarding not only research, but also industrialization under the blue biorefinery concept are also discussed. The situation reported here shows that new techniques must be developed to make microalgae production more competitive. Downstream pigment purification technologies must be developed as they may have a considerable impact on the economic viability of the process. Government incentives are needed to encourage a constructive interaction between academics and businesses in order to develop a biorefinery that focuses on high-grade chemicals.
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