(802c) Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of Trametes Versicolor Laccase Within Microfluidic Device: Experiments and Modeling

ATPS offers several advantages compared to traditional extraction with
organic solvents, particularly regarding to the non-denaturing conditions and
high biocompatibility The polyethylene glycol (PEG)/phosphate
aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was used for extraction of commercial Trametes versicolor
laccase within a Ψ-branched inflow and outflow glass microchannel. The
flow rates of both phases entering Ψ-branched were selected in order to
enable the separation of phases at the exit of microchannels in microfluidic
device. Due to decreased scales in Ψ-branched microchannel, the extraction
of laccase from phosphate-rich phase to PEG-rich phase reached equilibrium with
the highest obtained extracted fraction of laccase of 65 % (w/w). The diffusion
coefficients for laccase in both phases were determined based on the
experimental data obtained in a short Y-junction microfluidic chip and the
corresponding mathematical model. Furthermore, a 3D mathematical model in
dimensionless form was developed comprising convection and diffusion terms at
steady state conditions and it was validated by experimental results in order
to forecast the performance for a wide range of flow rates.