An expert system for selection of protein purification processes: experimental validation

Abstract

A hybrid Expert System has been implemented for selecting the optimum sequence of operations for purification of proteins. Two criteria were implemented to select the optimum sequence of purification. One of these uses the selection separation coefficient (SSC criterion) and the other uses the final level of purity (Purity criterion). The sequences suggested by the Expert System have been tested experimentally in two cases: with a model protein mixture and with the purification of β-1,3-glucanase from recombinant Bacillus subtilis culture. In both cases the sequences suggested were tested experimentally and gave very good agreement with the predicted purification. With the model protein mixture it was shown that the sequences suggested by the Purity criterion have fewer steps than those suggested by the SSC criterion. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry