Extraction of short peptides using supported liquid membranes

Studies of extraction of short peptides using supported liquid membranes containing Aliquat 336 as a carrier are presented. The extractions are carried out from an aqueous donor phase with pH ≥ 10 to an acceptor phase containing salt. The mass transfer is driven by the gradient of salt concentration between these phases. The extraction efficiency is dependent on the composition of water phases, the type and concentration of counter-ion in the stagnant acceptor phase and the flow rate of the donor phase. Moreover, it is also influenced by the concentration and structure of the examined peptides.

In this study we outlined the possibility of using SLM extraction technique for extraction of various peptides. The effect of extraction conditions, s uch a s t he a cceptor p hase composition, the type of counter-ion and its concentration on the extraction efficiency were examined. Also, the concentration and structure of the analyzed peptides on their extraction efficiency were investigated. It is worth noting notice that this technique can be applied for extraction of short peptides. The results show that extraction efficiency depends on the type and concentration of anions used as counterions. It turned out that the most important factor for efficient peptide transport is their structure, mainly t he p olarity a nd h ydrophobicity o f amino acids present in the peptide chain and the type of counter-ion used in the acceptor phase.