Parameters influencing magnetically enhanced centrifugation for protein separation

• Study of parameters influencing Magnetically Enhanced Centrifugation
• Study on loading and unloading behavior of a Magnetically Enhanced Centrifuge
• Protein separation by surface-functionalized magnetic particles

Magnetically Enhanced Centrifugation is a hybrid method combining the advantages of magnetic separation and centrifugation. Magnetic particles are separated due to magnetic wire forces to a wire matrix within the centrifuge. The deposit slides off the matrix by centrifugation. A pilot machine was set up for batch-wise separation. The discharge takes place by resuspending the particles using the matrix as a stirrer.The influence of the volumetric flow rate, magnetic field strength, and particle concentration is investigated. 200 g of magnetic particles are filled in the device. A separation efficiency of more than 99% is possible for the separation of synthetic particles. Concerning discharge, 93% of 200 g particles can be recovered in 2 batch volumes of 1.2 l of liquid each. In further experiments, a model protein–particle system using hen egg white provides a case study for protein separation by Magnetically Enhanced Centrifugation.