Protein Separation by Improved Cross-Axis Coil Planet Centrifuge with Eccentric Coil Assemblies

Abstract

Abstract The new prototype of the cross-axis coil planet centrifuge (X-axis CPC) fabricated in our laboratory provides various improvements over the original unit such as ambient temperature control, good visibility of the rotary frame and substantial reduction of the torque by a round transparent case, direct motor shaft coupling to the rotary frame to stabilize the system, and ease of belt tension adjustment using idler pulleys. The capability of the system was demonstrated in the separation of stable proteins with a polymer phase system using a pair of eccentric coil assembly separation columns. Cytochrome C, myoglobin and trypsinogen were well resolved and eluted in 5.5 h at a partition efficiency of 200 theoretical plates. The method provides a gentle environment for proteins without causing their deactivation or loss.