Methods are provided for extracting and purifying maternal antibodies from breastmilk, followed by further processing to facilitate oral ingestion. The methods may be used on breastmilk from any mammal, including humans, for consumption by mammals including humans. Antibodies are well-known immune mediators that are naturally found in abundant supply in breastmilk, and they are passed directly to the offspring via breastfeeding. The methods described herein extract antibodies from breastmilk in a manner that preserves the structure and antigen-specificity while enabling the formulation into products that are optimized for delivery to mammals, including humans. The method comprises (1) breastmilk collection, (2) extraction of antibodies, (3) characterization of antibody structure, degradation, and contamination, and (4) formulation into a dietary supplement (food product) for delivery to mammals, especially humans.

Methods for isolating proteins from solution by precipitation and compositions generated thereby are provided. A nonvolatile precipitation agent is added to an aqueous protein solution at a low concentration. Water is then removed from the resulting solution until the precipitant and the protein content of the solution increase to a concentration that provides the desired segregation of proteins between supernatant and precipitate. Additional water can be removed from the supernatant to provide additional fractionation. Water can be removed by evaporation (e.g. under reduced pressure) and/or diafiltration.

Methods for isolating proteins from solution by precipitation are provided. A nonvolatile precipitation agent is added to an aqueous protein solution at a low concentration. Water is then removed from the resulting solution until the precipitant and the protein content of the solution increase to a concentration that provides the desired segregation of proteins between supernatant and precipitate. Additional water can be removed from the supernatant to provide additional fractionation. Water can be removed by evaporation (e.g. under reduced pressure) and/or diafiltration.

A method is provided for extraction of fine silk fibroin powder from Bombyx mori silk cocoons. The conventional method of silk processing includes dissolution of the degummed silk fibers in some strong salt solutions followed by a dialysis step. The earlier reported strong salt solutions have either associated environment issues or lower dissolution ability for silk. However, the provided method includes degumming silk cocoons, drying and cutting the degummed silk fibers, mixing the fibers with an ionic liquid, stirring the mixture, regeneration of silk from the mixture with the help of an anti-solvent followed by centrifugation, drying the precipitated silk and finally obtaining a fine powder of silk.

A method for purifying phycocyanin from a phycocyanin-containing solution is provided. The method comprises a first step of partially purifying the solution by aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) and a second step of purifying the phycocyanin by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purified phycocyanin product can in some cases be of a sufficiently pure grade to be used as a food or cosmetic pigment.

Compositions and methods for the isolation of protein-nucleic acid complexes and microvesicles (collectively referred to as bioparticles) released by mammalian cells into body fluids or cell culture media are provided. Isolated bioparticles of the invention contain biological molecules that are useful as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers or for identification of therapeutic targets (e.g., disease or disorder-associated miRNAs). The isolation of biological molecules as described herein results in purification and concentration of the molecules. Methods for producing bio fluids that are free of detectable bioparticles, that are largely depleted of bioparticles, or that possess a reduced concentration of bioparticles compared to a bio fluid starting material (collectively termed bioparticle-depleted) are also provided. Isolation of bioparticle-depleted biofluid is useful, e.g., in experimental systems where it is desirable to use a biofluid that does not contain endogenous bioparticles, or has been substantially depleted of endogenous bioparticles, from the source material.

Methods are provided for extracting and purifying maternal antibodies from breastmilk, followed by further processing to facilitate oral ingestion. The methods may be used on breastmilk from any mammal, including humans, for consumption by mammals including humans. Antibodies are well-known immune mediators that are naturally found in abundant supply in breastmilk, and they are passed directly to the offspring via breastfeeding. The methods described herein extract antibodies from breastmilk in a manner that preserves the structure and antigen-specificity while enabling the formulation into products that are optimized for delivery to mammals, including humans. The method comprises (1) breastmilk collection, (2) extraction of antibodies, (3) characterization of antibody structure, degradation, and contamination, and (4) formulation into a dietary supplement (food product) for delivery to mammals, especially humans.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides novel antibody purification methods and systems using a potentially simple and cost-efficient means. In some embodiments, customized Z-33 derived from Staphylococcus aureus Protein A is used to construct immuno-amphiphile molecules which can assemble into immunofibers in aqueous solution with bioactive epitopes on the surface and have IgG binding ability.

Methods are provided for isolation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from plasma, where IgG is initially fractioned by salt precipitation, followed by successive ion exchange steps in which IgG appears in unbound, flow-through fractions of the ion exchange steps. Some embodiments employ successive anion exchange steps. Other embodiments employ an anion exchange step followed by application of flow-through of the anion exchange step to a cation exchange step, with IgG collected in flow-through fractions from the cation exchange step. IgG is collected at high yield (typically about 75% or greater) and high purity. Avoidance of binding and elution from chromatography media simplifies processing and scale up without sacrificing IgG quality or yield.

Systems are provided for isolation of a protein, such as immunoglobulin G (IgG), from plasma, where the protein is initially fractioned by salt precipitation, followed by successive ion exchange steps in which the protein appears in unbound, flow-through fractions of the ion exchange steps. Some embodiments employ successive anion exchange steps. Other embodiments employ an anion exchange step followed by application of flow-through of the anion exchange step to a cation exchange step, with the protein collected in flow-through fractions from the cation exchange step. IgG is collected at high yield (typically about 75% or greater) and high purity. Avoidance of binding and elution from chromatography media simplifies processing and scale up without sacrificing IgG quality or yield.