Applications of membrane techniques for purification of natural products.

The recent development of various membrane-based techniques for the purification of valuable natural products is reviewed and covers the important research that has been conducted in the last 5 years on the utilization of microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration techniques, either carried out on their own or coupled with other separation techniques, in order to achieve concentration and purification of natural products from their biological source. There is also a special focus on the research that has been undertaken to overcome the membrane fouling encountered in their usage.