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Abstract
Cloud point extraction with a polyethoxylated alcohol (Oxo-C10E4) is used to separate five α-amino acids: alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine (0.75 wt.% in water), and their extraction efficiencies are compared. The variables affecting phase separation and extraction (wt.% surfactant and equilibrium temperature) are optimized using experimental design. The four responses are: percentage of solute extracted (E), residual concentrations of solute (amino acid) and surfactant in the dilute phase, and volume fraction of coacervate at equilibrium. E increases with surfactant concentration and amino acid hydrophobicity in the following order: alanin < valin < leucin < isoleucine < phenylalanine, with respective maximum values: 73, 74, 76, 78.5, and 95%, and decreases with a temperature rise. It also makes sense that aspartic and glutamic acids, much more hydrophilic, are poorly extracted (E ˜ 10%). The trend observed is consistent with water/n-octanol partition coefficient (Log P) of amino acids in pure water. A more detailed study is presented for alanine and phenylalanine. Addition of sodium sulphate or cetylammonium bromide greatly raises extraction rates.