Evaluation of crude galactomannans as aqueous-forming polymers

Aqueous two-phase systems based on crude galactomannans may be an interesting alternative, due to its low cost, to traditional dextran - PEG systems and, due to its environmental advantages, to salt-PEG systems. Two phase aqueous polymer systems made from poly(ethylene glycol) and crude galactomannans (either Goar gum or Locust bean gum) were characterised. The influence of pH, ionic strength and mannose to galactose ratio on the partition behaviour of BSA was studied. It is shown that this systems may be used on aqueous two-phase extractions