Separation of Bromelain by Aqueous Two Phase Flotation

Aqueous two phase flotation (ATPF) system of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and potassium phosphate is studied for the separation and partial purification of bromelain from the pineapple fruit (Annanus comosus L. Merryl). The effect of PEG molecular weight (150020000), concentration of phase forming components (PEG 1218% w/w and potassium phosphate 1420% w/w), system pH, nitrogen flow rate, and flotation time were studied and optimum conditions for ATPF were obtained. At optimum conditions of the system, i.e., 14% w/w PEG 1500, 18% w/w potassium phosphate, 80mL/min of nitrogen flow rate and pH 7, maximum yield of 91.47% and purification fold of 4.26 were obtained. ATPF was found to be an effective technique for the purification of bromelain from pineapple fruit with higher extraction yield and purification fold as compared to aqueous two phase extraction (ATPE).