Technical Aspects of Extractive Purification of Penicillin Fermentation Broth by Aqueous Two-Phase Partitioning

Abstract A new attempt was made to reform the original penicillin recovery technology, and fundamental data were provided for further scale-up. The volume of fermentation broth processed was 1000 mL, the mass of penicillin crystal obtained was 7.228 g with an average purity of 84.15%, the overall recovery ratio of aqueous two-phase partitioning (ATPP) technology was 76.56%, and the entire technical process is described. Compared to the original organic solvent extraction, ATPP technology can extract penicillin from whole fermentation broth directly. The pH should be adjusted only once and the activity of penicillin can be improved. The extraction steps are decreased from three times to one, and the extraction technology is integrated. A new field is opened up by this powerful ATPP technology. Key Words: Aqueous two-phase partitioningPenicillinLiquid-liquid equilibriumExtractive fermentation