(German title: Entwicklung selektiver Adsorbermaterialien zur Aufarbeitung von β-Lactamantibiotika)

The aim of the project is the selective isolation of fermentatively produced β-lactam antibiotics from complex mixtures of substances with subsequent magnetic separation. The process is to be used at an early stage of processing in order to stabilize the antibiotics and thus increase the product yield. Magnetic separation in the HGMF system enables solid/solid/liquid separation and therefore considerable time savings in the downstream process. In addition, solvents and energy are saved within the process, which is an interesting aspect from an ecological point of view.

Magnetizable iron oxide particles embedded in a silica or polyvinyl alcohol matrix are used for base coating and derivatization with a selective adsorber matrix. Toluenesulfonic acid, for which the selectivity of the adsorber phase towards benzoic acid has been demonstrated, serves as a model substance. An adsorber phase is also synthesized for the imipenem, which is used here as a model carbapenem. This will be tested for selectivity in water and various model media. In addition, the degradation products of the imipenem are analysed in order to be able to make a statement about the stabilization of the imipenem by the selective adsorber matrix. These results will be compared with a commercially available adsorber.

As the fermentation medium is a viscous medium, it is necessary to optimize the separation chamber of the HGMF for these conditions.For this purpose, various simulations of the magnetic fields generated and the flow through the chamber are carried out.The knowledge gained from the simulations will be verified by means of separation tests of the magnetic beads from a fermentation broth.