Preparative separation of pyrogens from proteins by isoelectric focusing using a multicompartment electrolyser with Immobiline membranes

Abstract

Due to the nature of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin structures of bacterial pyrogens, their removal from solutions containing therapeutic proteins is often a problem in the pharmaceutical industry. In this report we describe the application of electromotive force to dislodge lipopolysaccharide endotoxins from proteins. This was performed by employing a multicompartment electrolyzer fitted with Immobiline membranes of specified pIs. A thousand-fold reduction of endotoxin could be achieved in the model test system described. This contribution describes the use of a new recycling isoelectric focusing approach without the use of carrier ampholytes.