Filtration is an essential process in the biopharmaceutical industry, where it is used to purify and separate biological molecules such as proteins, vaccines, and other therapeutic agents. The goal of filtration in this industry is to remove impurities, such as endotoxins, viruses, and other contaminants, while preserving the quality and activity of the target molecule. In this article, we will explore some of the key filtration techniques used in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Membrane Filtration
Membrane filtration uses a thin, semi-permeable membrane to selectively separate molecules based on their size and charge. This method is particularly useful for removing smaller impurities, such as viruses and endotoxins. The most commonly used membrane filters in the biopharmaceutical industry are made of polyethersulfone (PES), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or regenerated cellulose.
Graver's membrane filtration systems for biotech industry:
TefTEC™ P Series Filter Cartridges for complete bacterial retention to yield product sterility in biopharmaceutical final filtration applications, as well as for sterile air.
ZTEC™ B Series Filter Cartridges bioburden reduction grade membrane cartridges provide highly consistent performance for bioburden reduction and particle removal across a wide range of beverage, pharmaceutical and biological fluids.
ZTEC™ P Series Filter Cartridges sterilizing grade membrane cartridges for complete bacterial retention in final filtration applications are naturally hydrophilic. The low protein binding characteristics of polyethersulfone membrane ensure maximum transmission of active ingredients making it ideal for a wide range of pharmaceutical and biological liquid applications, including the filtration of therapeutics, vaccines, antibiotics, bulk pharmaceutical and other critical biotechnology products.
Pleated Filtration
Pleated filters are another type of filter commonly used in the biopharmaceutical industry. These filters are typically made of a membrane material, such as PES or PVDF, and are designed to have a high surface area in a compact form. The pleating of the filter medium allows for an increased surface area within a smaller filter housing, which can reduce processing time and increase throughput.
Pleated filters are often used in the final filtration stage, where they can remove any remaining impurities, such as bacteria and viruses, from the target molecule. They are also used in the clarification step, where they can remove any remaining particles and debris from the process stream.
The pleated design of these filters allows for a greater amount of filter media to be used in a smaller space, increasing the efficiency of the filtration process. Additionally, pleated filters can be designed to be easily replaceable, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
Graver's membrane filtration systems for biotech industry:
QXL™ Series Filter Cartridges for the filtration of solutions containing agglomerated particles and gels or with high viscosity.
QMC™ Series Filter Cartridges with multiple layers of melt blown polypropylene media for general particle control.
PMC™ Series Filter Cartridges with high surface area that allows for greater system flow rate for general particle control.
QSL™ Series Filter Cartridges with serial layered cartridge design offers excellent retention characteristics and extended life is ideal for the protection of final membrane filters.
Depth Filtration
Depth filtration is a commonly used method for purifying large biomolecules, such as proteins. It uses a porous material, such as cellulose, to trap impurities and separate them from the target molecule. The filtration media used in depth filtration can be tailored to the specific application, providing high selectivity and capacity for a wide range of biomolecules.
Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)
TFF is a technique that uses a semi-permeable membrane to selectively remove impurities from a liquid stream while leaving the target molecule behind. This process is particularly useful for concentrating and purifying large molecules, such as proteins and vaccines, from complex mixtures. TFF can be performed in either a batch or continuous flow mode and can be tailored to specific applications.
Chromatography
Chromatography is a separation technique that uses a stationary phase and a mobile phase to separate molecules based on their physical and chemical properties. This method is highly selective and can be used to purify and separate a wide range of biomolecules. The most commonly used chromatography techniques in the biopharmaceutical industry are ion exchange, size exclusion, and affinity chromatography.
Green Synergy Engineering is the sole distributor of Graver Technology Liquid Process Filters in Malaysia. Contact us to find out more about our products and services.
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