Abstract
In this study, nanofiltration was applied to the concentration of the 6-aminopenicillinic acid (6-APA) from bioconverted penicillin solution and also to its mother liquor. The 6-APA in the solution was concentrated from 0.211 mol/L to 0.746 mol/L by nanofiltration. The final maximum concentration was 3.6 times higher than the initial concentration an the recovery yield was 97% to 99% of the original 6-APA. The concentrated solution was crystallized with the yields of 88.9-90.2% and the purity of the crystallized product was about 98%. The concentration of 6-APA in the mother liquor after crystallization was 0.014 mol/L and thus was concentrated 20-30 fold by nanofiltration and crystallization. The recovery of 6-APA was over 98%. The salts contained in the mother liquor, such as NH$_4$Cl and KCl, could be removed by allowing them to permeate through the membrane.