Phase equilibrium and insulin partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems containing block copolymers and potassium phosphate

In this work, phase diagrams of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) containing PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymers and potassium phosphate as well as the partitioning behavior of insulin in these systems are presented. Experiments aimed at the identification of the effects of copolymer structure (by varying the number of EO units per polymer molecule), temperature (283.15 and 298.15 K) and pH (5.0 and 7.0) on the phase behavior of these systems were carried out. The results indicated the enlargement of the two-phase region upon increasing the temperature, pH and copolymer hydrophobicity (expressed as the PO/EO ratio in the copolymer molecule). Experimental measurements of the partitioning of human insulin in these ATPS also indicated the dependency of the partition coefficients on temperature, pH, and copolymer hydrophobicity, with the latter being the most influential factor. Finally, experimental data on the phase behavior and insulin partitioning were correlated using an excess Gibbs energy virial-type model modified in order to account for coulombic interactions and ionization equilibrium between the various forms of the phosphate ion.