In this example, a fermentation broth containing cells such as E. coli bacteria is being harvested and concentrated directly from the harvest tank using VMF technology. At the same time, the fermentation broth is processed and a cleaned API/protein is recovered – all in a single step.
Description:
Cell Concentration
VMF is characterized by having very low flow resistance and being capable of uniform TMP, while being easy to clean and drain. Combined with the vibrations creating turbulence at the membrane surface, fouling is minimized, and concentration levels are only limited by the pumpability properties of the media. For products like E.coli, this means that exceptionally high concentration levels can be reached.
- Concentration to highest pumpable level
- High recovery – Minimal fouling
API Recovery
Due to the unique VMF technology, this setup can also be used for intracellular clarification, with a lysing step between the harvest tank and the VMF unit.
Traditional clarification involves several unit operations, each complicated and causing yield loss. VMF eliminates these steps, uses significantly less energy, requires less manual labor, has a small foot print, and uses less water and CIP chemicals.
- Handling of high solids loads and viscosities
- High transmission due to unique separation process control
- Low shear process
See also this study about E. coli harvest and lysate clarification, in which VMF outperforms conventional TFF technologies in both processes.