Aqueous two-phase systems: A simple methodology to obtain mixtures enriched in main toxins of Bothrops alternatus venom

• Developing a simple and accessible strategy to fractionate Bothrops alternatus venom.
• Partitioning pattern of Phospholipase A2 and proteases in aqueous biphasic systems.
• Contribution to overcome an important public health concern in developing countries.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protease (P) are enzymes responsible of myotoxic, edematogenic and hemostasis disorder effects observed in the envenomation by Bothrops alternatus pitviper. Their partitioning coefficient (Kp) in different polyethyleneglycol/potassium phosphate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) was determined in order to both achieve a better understanding of the partitioning mechanism and define optimal conditions for toxin isolation. Polyethyleneglycols (PEGs) of molecular weights 1000; 3350; 6000 and 8000; different temperatures (5, 20 and 37 °C) and phase volume ratios of 0.5; 1 and 2 were assayed. PLA2 partitioned preferentially to the top phase while P mainly distributed to the bottom phase. Either entropically- or enthalpically-driven mechanisms were involved in each case (PLA2 and P). The aqueous two-phase system formed by PEG of MW 3350 (12.20% wt/wt) and KPi pH 7.0 (11.82% wt/wt) with a volume ratio of one and a load of 1.25 mg of venom/g of system showed to be the most efficient to recover both enzymes. It allowed obtaining the 72% of PLA2 in the top phase with a purification factor of 2 and the 82% of P at the bottom phase simultaneously. A further adsorption batch step with DEAE-cellulose was used to remove satisfactorily the PEG from the top phase and recover the active PLA2.The proposed methodology is simple, inexpensive, and only requires professionals trained in handling basic laboratory equipment. It could be easily adoptable by developing countries in which the snakebite accidents cause considerable morbidity and mortality.