Promotion of Phase Separation in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Utilizing Magnetic Fluid

Measurement of coductivity was found to be useful method for the observation of phase-separation behavior in an aqueous two-phase system. Phase-separation behavior in dextran and polyethylene glycol system containing magnetic fluid was investigated. Phase separation time was much shorttened by addition of a small amount of magnetic fluid. Phase-separation time decreased to less than one-third that for a conventional system by addition of 2% magnetic fluid under a magnetic field of 0.3 tesla. Further partition experiments with two proteins, albumin and hemoglobin, were carried out at 303K with magnetic fluid. The magnetic fluid did not affect the partition or separation behavior of these proteins at a low content of magnetic fluid.