The use of membranes in downstream processing

Abstract

Since several years membranes and membrane processes have been used as efficient tools for the separation of molecular mixtures in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and for the production of potable and industrial water. More recently their application in biotechnology, especially for downstream processing of bioreactor constituents, is receiving increasing attention. So far, however, membranes have had very little impact on modern biotechnology although membrane processes are particularly suited for the separation of thermally and chemically sensitive biological materials such as enzymes, proteins, bacteria, etc., since the actual mass separation is carried out by physical means at ambient temperature.

In this paper the major areas of application of membranes and membrane processes in downstream processing of bioreactor constituents are described. Problems related to the uses of membranes in biotechnology are discussed. The successful use of membranes in downstream processing is illustrated in selected examples.