Biochemical engineering challenges of purifying useful proteins

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Abstract
Some of the biochemical engineering issues that arise when the purification of proteins is scaled up are examined. The first question addressed is the quantity of various proteins likely to be required. Consideration is given to the order in which isolation procedures may be applied and to the selective removal on a large scale of non-proteinaceous materials. Some general problems such as the effect of mechanical forces on proteins and their complexes and aggregates are examined, together with ways of enhancing the properties of these aggregates and the methods of recovering them. The manner in which on-line process optimization can be achieved during pilot plant trials is discussed and the paper concludes with a summary of new scientific developments to which the biochemical engineer will need to respond.