title: Effect of a natural contaminant on foam fractionation of bromelain.
abstract: Foam fractionation is a simple, inexpensive method for separating and purifying proteins. Typically, a dilute bromelain solution with a pH ranging from 2.0 to 7.0 foams very well when bubbles are introduced into a foam fractionation column. It was observed, however, that the dilute enzyme solution only foamed between approximately pH 2.0 and 3.0 when the inner wall of the fractionation column was coated with a natural contaminant (okra residue). We studied the separation ratio and the protein mass recovery to explore the effect of a natural antifoaming agent on the foam fractionation of a dilute bromelain solution. The control variables used in this process were the initial bulk solution pH, which ranged from 2.0 to 7.0, and the superficial air velocity, which varied between 1.7 and 6.2 cm/s.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prokop
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Tanner
mesh_terms: D028483:Abelmoschus; D019149:Bioreactors; D001963:Bromelains / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005740:Gases; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions; D001963:Bromelains