Continuous Chromatographic Separation of Salt From Sugars by Simulated Moving Bed Technology (SMB) Using Orochem Zucchero Columns

Anil R. Oroskar and Rakesh Nair, Orochem Technologies, Inc.

Simulated Moving Bed technology (SMB) is a continuous chromatography technique widely used in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. The continuous chromatographic separation of sodium sulphate (Na₂ SO₄) from a mixture of glucose and mannose was established by using the Orochem Zucchero™ columns and the SMB technology. The main advantages of SMB over batch chromatography includes better yields, higher purity, and decreased solvent usage, which together make the SMB technology economically viable and ideal for desalting applications.

Figure 1

Experimental Conditions

SMB system

Orochem SMB system equipped with eight Zucchero -Na⁺ columns.

Columns: Zucchero Na⁺ , 100 x 20 mm

Eluent: DI Water

Temperature: 65°C

Feed rate: 2 mL/min (10% Na₂ SO₄ / 5% Glucose + Mannose)

Figure 2

Analytical

Equipment: HP 1090 HPLC system

Column: Zucchero, 300 x 7.2 mm

Eluent: 0.009N H₂SO₄ in water

Detection: RI

Inj volume: 15 µL

Results and Conclusion

The chromatograms show that a good separation of salt and the sugar was achieved by using the SMB system. The measured recovery of this process was 95% and the measured purity was 99.9%. This system will be a useful tool for companies in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Orochem Technologies, Inc.

331 Eisenhower Ln South, Lombard, IL 60148

tel. (630)916-0225

Website: www.orochem.com