TANGENTIAL FLOW MICROFILTRATION OF THERMUS AQUATICUS YT-1 LYSATE

Abstract

The tangential flow microfiltration of Thermus aquaticus YT-1 lysate was investigated. Two membranes of different pore diameter – 0.2 μm PES and 0.65 μm PVDF – were compared. The optimal transmembrane pressure at different flow rates for both membranes was determined. Parameters such as flux through membrane, retention coefficients, rate constants and yields of nucleic acids, polysaccharides, proteins and product Taq DNA polymerase were evaluated. The flux of 0.2 μm pore diameter membrane was shown to be 1.35 times higher as compared with the 0.65 μm pore diameter membrane. A comparison of Taq DNA polymerase yield has revealed the majority of the product to flow through the membrane, but the highest yield of the product (96.3 ±3.7%) has been obtained with the 0.2 μm pore diameter membrane. The type of membrane material was shown to influence the performance of the process. It has been concluded that the 0.2 μm pore diameter membrane is suitable for the clarification of Thermus aquaticus YT-1 lysate.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ct.59.1.1530