Enhanced chitin gel with magnetic nanofiller for lysozyme purification

[Display omitted] •Nanofillers of Fe3O4 were embedded in chitin for lysozyme purification.•The increase of Fe3O4 modified the cell parameters and porosity of chitin.•Nanofillers influenced chitin structure enhancing lysozyme purification.•This nanocomposite allows one step purification of hen egg white lysozyme.•A 75% global yield and 99% lysozyme purity was obtained from undiluted egg white. In this study, we have investigated the impact of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticle (Fe3O4) inclusion on the chitin polysaccharide structure, together with its surface chemistry influence on the adsorption of lysozyme (LYZ). Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as fillers not only endow the chitin host structure with their physic and chemical properties but also is a straightforward tool to modify or template its porous structure. Indeed, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements confirm the template effect of the MNPs on chitin. Their incorporation reduced the thickness of the pore wall and increased the surface area from chitin (34.5m2/g) to the chitin@Fe3O4 composites (210.8m2/g). MNPs provide the composite system an intrinsic magnetic moment that enables the magnetic recovery of the adsorbent after LYZ uptake. To characterize the magnetic composite's interaction with LYZ, the effect of pH on the absorptive capacities and kinetic parameters was examined. The results indicated that the nanocomposite presents an adsorption capacity of 488mg/g of lysozyme at pH 9, being able to recover LYZ without diluting or pretreating the hen egg-white, leading to a 75% global yield and a purity degree >99% in only one chromatographic step.