State of the art on the separation and purification of proteins by magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

The need for excellent, affordable, rapid, reusable and biocompatible protein purification techniques is justified based on the roles of proteins as key biomacromolecules. Magnetic nanomaterials nowadays have become the subject of discussion in proteomics, drug delivery, and gene sensing due to their various abilities including rapid separation, superparamagnetism, and biocompatibility. These nanomaterials also referred to as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) serve as excellent options for traditional protein separation and analytical methods because they have a larger surface area per volume. From ionic metals to carbon-based materials, MNPs are easily functionalized by modifying their surface to precisely recognize and bind proteins. This review excavates state-of-the-art MNPs and their functionalizing agents, as efficient protein separation and purification techniques, including ionic metals, polymers, biomolecules, antibodies, and graphene. The MNPs could be reused and efficaciously manipulated with these nanomaterials leading to highly improved efficiency, adsorption, desorption, and purity rate. We also discuss the binding and selectivity parameters of the MNPs, as well as their future outlook. It is concluded that parameters like charge, size, core–shell, lipophilicity, lipophobicity, and surface energy of the MNPs are crucial when considering protein selectivity, chelation, separation, and purity.Graphical abstract