Penicillin acylase purification with the aid of hydrophobic charge induction chromatography

The aim of this work was to test a chromatographic support, 4-mercaptoethyl pyridine (4-MEP) Hypercel, for penicillin acylase purification by using pure penicillin acylase and crude extract. Two equilibration buffers with various salt concentrations and different flow rates were tested. The relationships between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and proteins are demonstrated. (NH4)2SO4 proved preferable because no salting-in occurred, contrary to NaCl. The recovery and purification fold were similar to those obtained in pseudo-affinity chromatography with a three-fold reduction of the (NH4)2SO4 concentration.