The present disclosure provides a method for extracting and separating flavonoids from Lindera aggregata leaves. The method includes: mixing Lindera aggregata leaves with an adsorbent, conducting elution with a matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction method, followed by concentration to obtain a Lindera aggregata leaf extract; conducting primary separation and secondary separation on the Lindera aggregata leaf extract by high-speed counter-current liquid chromatography (HSCCC), to separate quercetin-3-O-β-D-arabinofuranoside, a mixture of quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside and quercetin-5-O-β-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranoside, and kaempferol-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside; where a second solvent system used in the secondary separation includes ethyl acetate, n-butanol, an addictive and water, and the addictive includes cyclodextrin. The method has a short separation period, high separation efficiency, and less impurities during purification and separation of the flavonoids from the Lindera aggregata leaves.

The present invention relates to a method for separating one or more components from a liquid feed mixture in an EBA-SMB operating mode without the need of pumps at the outlets of the EBA columns. The present invention also relates to a simulated moving bed separation device with expanded bed adsorption columns which can be used in the method according to the invention.

Certain embodiments of the invention provides a method for monitoring level of saturation of a chromatography media in a column, which method comprises measuring a first pressure at the inlet of an unloaded column; measuring a second pressure at the inlet from a loaded column; and comparing the first and second pressure measurement to determine the level of saturation of the chromatography media. Embodiments of the invention also provide related methods for controlling a chromatography system and methods for controlling a periodic counter current chromatography system, as well as a chromatography system suitable for use with the novel methods.

The invention relates to a method of isolating an immunoglobulin, comprising the steps of: a) providing a separation matrix comprising at least 15 mg/ml multimers of immunoglobulin-binding alkali-stabilized Protein A domains covalently coupled to a porous support, wherein the porous support comprises cross-linked polymer particles having a volume-weighted median diameter (d50,v) of 56-70 micrometers and a dry solids weight of 55-80 mg/ml; b) contacting a liquid sample comprising an immunoglobulin with the separation matrix; c) washing the separation matrix with a washing liquid; d) eluting the immunoglobulin from the separation matrix with an elution liquid; and e) cleaning the separation matrix with a cleaning liquid comprising at least 0.5 M NaOH.

The present invention relates to a zeolite-based adsorbent comprising at least one zeolite of FAU structure of LSX type and comprising barium and/or potassium, in which the outer surface area of said zeolite-based adsorbent, measured by nitrogen adsorption, is between 20 m.sup.2.Math.g.sup.−1 and 100 m.sup.2.Math.g.sup.−1, limits inclusive. The present invention also relates to the use of such a zeolite-based adsorbent as an adsorption agent, and also to the process for separating para-xylene from aromatic isomer fractions containing 8 carbon atoms.

A dispersed mobile-phase countercurrent chromatography system is described in which solutes are carried by a stream of dispersed mobile phase solvent through a column, or array of serially-connected columns, of stationary phase solvent with which the mobile phase solvent is immiscible. Solutes carried along by the stream of dispersed mobile-phase solvent will be equilibrated between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent. Because the mobile-phase is dispersed into mini-droplets much smaller in diameter than the column of stationary phase, the enhanced surface/volume ratio of the droplets expedites countercurrent equilibration of different solutes between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent in accordance with the distribution-coefficients of the solutes between the two solvents. As a result, a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the stationary phase will be retarded in its migration through the columns compared to a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the mobile phase. The different migration rates of different solutes bring about their chromatographic separation on the columns, effectively combining the advantages of countercurrent distribution (e.g., elimination of any solid chromatographic matrix, and therefore losses of solutes due to adsorption to the solid matrix and contamination of separated solutes by impurities leached from the solid matrix) and liquid column chromatography (e.g., continuous mode of operation, and scalable from analytical to large industrial separations without any centrifugal or discontinuous mechanical steps).

Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.

The present invention relates to a chromatography system and a method therefor. The chromatography system comprising an inlet port (102) for receiving a sample, an outlet port (106) for delivering the sample, a detector (201), a column (104), and a valve (202) in fluid communication with the inlet port, the outlet port, the detector, and the column. The valve (202) comprises a first position (304) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a first fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged upstream the column. The valve comprises a second position (404) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a second fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged downstream the column.

The present invention provides an annular centrifugal contactor, having a housing to receive a plurality of liquids; a rotor inside the housing; an annular mixing zone, with a plurality of fluid retention reservoirs; and an adjustable stem that can be raised to restrict the flow of a liquid into the rotor or lowered to increase the flow of liquid into the rotor. The invention also provides a method for transferring moieties from a first liquid to a second liquid, the method having the steps of combining the fluids in a housing whose interior has helically shaped first channels; subjecting the fluids to a spinning rotor to produce a mixture, whereby the channels simultaneously conduct the mixture downwardly and upwardly; and passing the mixture through the rotor to contact second channels, whereby the channels pump the second liquid through a first aperture while the first fluid exits a second aperture.

Provided is a method for control and/or monitoring and/or optimization of a chromatographic process, in which the method comprises at least 2 columns which are operated, alternatingly, wherein this operation can be carried out in that the at least 2 columns are operated in interconnected and disconnected states, wherein the columns switch positions after such a sequence of interconnected and disconnected state, and wherein downstream of at least one, or of each column, a detector is located capable of detecting the desired product and/or impurities when passing the detector.