One-Step Purification of Melittin Derived from Apis mellifera Bee Venom

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 84 - 91
• Main Authors: Teoh, Angela Ching Ling, Ryu, Kyoung-Hwa, Lee, Eun Gyo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국미생물·생명공학회 28.01.2017
• Subjects: 생물학; hyaluronidase; Melittin; cation-exchange chromatography; phospholipase A2; purification
• ISSN: 1017-7825; 1738-8872
• DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1608.08042

The concern over the use of melittin in honey bee venom due to its adverse reaction caused by allergens such as phospholipase A2 (PLA ) and hyaluronidase (HYA) has been an obstacle towards its usage. We developed a novel single-step method for melittin purification and the removal of PLA and HYA. This study explores the influence of pH, buffer compositions, salt concentration, and types of cation-exchange chromatography resins on the recovery of melittin and the removal of both HYA and PLA . Melittin was readily purified with a strong cation-exchange resin at pH 6.0 with sodium phosphate buffer. It resulted in a recovery yield of melittin up to 93% (5.87 mg from a total of 6.32 mg of initial melittin in crude bee venom), which is higher than any previously reported studies on melittin purification. PLA (99%) and HYA (96%) were also successfully removed. Our study generates a single-step purification method for melittin with a high removal rate of PLA and HYA, enabling melittin to be fully utilized for its therapeutic purposes.