L-asparaginase (LA) is an enzyme used as a biopharmaceutical for the treatment of acute
lymphoblastic leukemia. LA can be produced via fermentation and its purification usually
comprises several steps including precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction and
chromatography techniques. Among these, ion exchange chromatography, which is often
preceded by precipitation with salts as a first pre-chromatographic step, is the most used.
However, theses common strategies for protein purification result in low yields and
purity, requiring long processing times, while leading to a consequent increase of the
process costs. Therefore, the demand for new cost-effective production/purification
processes play now a priority role.
This work aims the development of cost-effective technologies to purify LA from the
complex fermentation medium from Bacillus Subtillis. Silica-based supported ionic
liquids (SILs) are investigated as cost-effective purification materials for the target
enzyme. The concentration of the extract from the fermentation, material/ extract from
fermentation ratio and contact time effects in the purity and yield of LA were optimized.
With this strategy, process costs, energy consumed, and waste generated, may be
significantly decreased, which may lead to this biopharmaceutical price decrease and
wider application.publishe
