The reverse micelles have been used for extraction and purification of proteins and enzymes in downstream processing. In this study a simple complexation model was developed for protein extraction using reverse micelles. We assumed that the size of protein-reverse micelle complex is a function of net charge of protein and salt concentration. The model has been applied to correlate the experimental data for reverse micellar extraction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme. The solutions of reverse micelles for extraction of BSA and lysozyme were composed of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant, and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (NaDEHP), an anionic surfactant, respectively. Moreover, the effects of surfactant concentration, pH of aqueous phase, and salt concentration were investigated. In comparison with experiment the results of the model for both systems are in very good agreement.

In recent decades, the application of microorganisms and their products for the bioseparation of minerals, bioflotation, and bioflocculation, has been extensively recognized by researchers and industry. Considering several benefits of the bioseparation, in the current paper, a detailed review has been conducted on the bioseparation of galena from its most common accompanying minerals i.e. sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite using microorganisms and their extracellular products. Based on the findings, the bacterial cells of the Thiobacillus species have a good ability to depress and selectively flocculate galena, but the cells of the Polymyxa species have a lower ability. Therefore, they depress and flocculate most of the sulfide minerals present in the pulp. In addition, the adaptation of bacteria, especially polymyxa  species with galena and other minerals will increase extracellular secretions of protein or polysaccharides. Adapted Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megatrium can separate galena. Due to the hydrophobic nature of extracellular proteins, their less absorption on the surface of galena compared to sphalerite, causes the second mineral to be floated and the galena to be depressed. On the other hand, adaptation leads to more protein secretion in the presence of galena compared to pyrite, which will cause galena to float and the second mineral to be depressed. Also, it can be said that the tendency of extracellular polysaccharides to adsorb on galena and the tendency of extracellular proteins to adsorb on sphalerite causes that when the mixture of these two minerals comes into contact with bacterial EPS, galena is usually depressed or flocculated and sphalerite floats to some extent.

There has been much interest generated in the recovery of nanoparticulate (nanoparticle) bioproducts (Second generation of biotechnological products) such as plasmid DNA and viruses as putative gene therapy vectors, macromolecular assemblies as drug delivery vehicles and virus-like particles as vaccine components. Such product must be manufactured in advanced stages of purity, material definition and sophisticated formulation to rival those demanded of the pharmaceutical macromolecules which dominate as the first generation products. Nanoparticulates are characterized by a critical size range (10-300 nm diameter) and complexity of surface chemistry and internal organisation which pose new challenges in separation science and engineering, controlled chemistries of modification and material measurement not readily addressed by extant technologies. Current review article is concerns with structural characterisations of nanoparticulate bioproducts as well as redesign of their downstream processing techniques which are common to all programmes. This focus is upon candidate partition systems which can contribute to the fractionation, recovery and purification of nanoparticulate assemblies from their soluble components (capsid proteins from virus, polynucleotides from plasmid DNA, soluble, agglomerated forms of protein etc.). The mechanistic design of new separation and formulation technologies based upon a sound understanding of quantifiable structural features of these nanoparticle bioproducts is strongly indicated.

In recently Magnetic NanoParticles (MNPs) have attracted a lot of attention in the field of biomedicine because of distinctive physicochemical characteristics, chemical stability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and ease of external magnetic field guidance. It has been outlined how MNPs with controlled size, shape, and magnetic characteristics are prepared for use in industrial, bioengineering, and commercial applications. In fields of life science such as agriculture, the environment, and healthcare, Iron Oxide NanoParticles (IONPs) are essential. By coating the IONPs with proteins, starch, polymers, etc., the IONPs can be further enriched. Applications of biomedical are also discussed, including drug administration, hyperthermia, biosensing, and bioseparation. We can treat the tumor by directly injecting IONPs into the organ and using an external magnetic field. The preparation techniques for IONPs, coatings of organic and non-organic compounds, and biological applications have all been outlined in this review. In addition, the surface of iron oxide NPs may be changed by inorganic or organic compounds such as metals, polymers, proteins, silica, etc. The guidelines for the synthesis and surface functionalization of iron oxide NPs are discussed, as well as the problems and major challenges. In-depth discussion has been given in this study of the prospective developments and trends of IONPs in medication delivery and hyperthermia. 

During the past decades, hydrogels have been introduced suitable as novel materials for a variety of applications such as biomedical engineering, sanitary products, agriculture, bioseparation, enhanced oil recovery, etc. They have been successfully used as superabsorbent materials and in drug delivery, cell encapsulation and tissue repair due to their high water content and consequent biocompatibility. Considering the fact that water retention in the hydrogels provides a suitable drug diffusion pathway; many hydrogel-based networks have been designed and fabricated as intelligent carriers of drugs. The rate and degree of hydrogel swelling are the most important parameters which control the release patterns of solvents and drugs from these polymeric networks. Therefore, the precise account of hydrogel behaviour as well as mathematical description of equilibrium swelling, dimensional changes due to solvent uptake, desorption and drug release profiles were the main objectives in many investigations. The objective of this manuscript is to give a brief review on existing mathematical models and theories in the field of hydrogel swelling as well as the description of the drug release mechanism from swelling-controlled networks. The most important properties of hydrogels relevant to their swelling behaviour as well as kinetics and thermodynamic of swelling are also presented.