Patent ID: 7572894
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: A61K,C07K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of obtaining predominantly one enantiomer from a mixture of enantiomers, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an aqueous fibrous protein solution with a solvent that is not miscible with water, wherein the fibrous protein is selected from the group consisting of silk, collagens, keratins, actins, chorions, and seroins; b. allowing the solution in contact with the solvent to age at about room temperature or under conditions preventing evaporation or both; c. allowing the enantiomers of the mixture to diffuse selectively into the resulting fibrous protein smectic hydrogel in solution; d. removing the smectic hydrogel from the solution; e. rinsing predominantly a first enantiomer from the surface of the smectic hydrogel; and f. extracting predominantly a second enantiomer from the interior of the smectic hydrogel.