Scale-Up of Natural Product Isolation

Abstract

Scale-up of natural product isolation involves not only an increase in the scale of the purification of the target compound but also an improved level or scale in its production. As the scale increases, efficiency of operation becomes more important, necessitating process development. The nature of the scale-up challenge inevitably changes throughout the development cycle of a particular compound. This, together with the resources available, ultimately influences the strategy adopted. Factors important in successful scale-up are discussed with particular reference to microbial products and illustrated in case studies of the scale-up isolations of xenovulene A from Acremonium strictum, and (6S)-4,6-dimethyldodeca-2E,4E-dienoyl phomalactone from a Phomopsis sp.