Liquid membrane separation of Cephalosporin-C from culture broth

Abstract

The extraction of Cephalosporin-C (CPC) from diluted fermentation broth of Cephalosporium acremonium was studied in a bulk liquid membrane as well as an emulsion liquid membrane system. Aliquat-336 was used as the extract out to provide facilitated transport of CPC via a liquid-liquid ion exchange mechanism. By maintaining an appropriate pH gradient in the feed and receiving phases, facilitated uphill transport could be achieved in the bulk liquid membrane system. The culture broth contains CPC and deacetylCPC (DCPC) which are structurally almost similar, CPC being marginally more hydrophobic in nature. Selective separation of CPC could be achieved in a suitably formulated liquid membrane system. This is perhaps the first demonstration of the liquid membrane technique as an alternate process option for selective extraction of CPC from fermentation broth of Cephalosporium acremonium.