Journal of Bioprocessing & Biotechniques

High-Flow System to Trap and Separate Magnetic Particles from Liquid Mixtures

Abstract

Georgios Banis, Maria Elisavet Koul, Peter Svec, Evangelos Hristoforou and Angelo Ferraro

Bio-separation of natural as well as biomedical molecules has been constantly developed in last decades. Even though several techniques are available, the majority of them present drawbacks such impossibility to work at industrial scale. Main up scaling limitations are linked to high costs and to the fact that devices are based on microfluid dynamic. In this scenario, magnetic bio-separation is considered the most prone to be applied for large scale preparation. Herein, we propose a proof of concept of a simple magnetic separation method that is not based on microfluid dynamics and can work in a semi-continuous high-flow rate. Furthermore, the proposed system could be easily automated in order to be used for standard separation purposes. The functional principles are based on the use of an anisotropic flexible magnetic strip, teflon hoses and a pumping device. We show the modelling of the separation process along with an experimental test on iron oxide magnetic particles. The results showed that it is possible to remove, and separately collect, more than 92% of magnetic particles from a liquid solution of 100 ml in roughly 15 minutes with just one passage.