Liquid–liquid extraction of lysozyme using a dye-modified ionic liquid

An affinity-dye, Cibacron Blue 3GA (CB), derivatized organic salt [BMIM]3[CB] was synthesized for lysozyme extraction. This compound was formed by mixing an ionic liquid (IL) [BMIM][Cl] and the silver salt of CB. Liquid–liquid extractions of lysozyme from the aqueous and [BMIM]3[CB] in [BMIM][PF6] solutions were examined in this study. The transfer of lysozyme from the aqueous phase to the IL phase decreased while the pH of the aqueous phase increased. An extraction higher than 90% was observed at pH 4. Under a high ionic strength, the lysozyme would transform back from the IL phase into the aqueous phase. Lysozyme molecules were almost quantitatively recovered from the IL phase to the aqueous solutions of 1 M KCl under pH 9–11. It appeared that the extraction was specific for lysozyme in contrast to cytochrome c, ovalbumin, and bovine serum albumin. The extraction efficiency of the IL phase remained essentially the same after eight cycles of extraction.