Clavulanic acid separation on fixed bed columns of layered double hydroxides: Optimization of operating parameters using breakthrough curves

•Adsorption breakthrough curves of CA in a fixed-bed column of LDHME adsorbents.•Response surfaces enabled identification of the best column operating conditions.•Factorial design technique is an efficient tool for process optimization.•Good separation of CA from the amino acids tyrosine and proline was observed.•The LDHME adsorbent was shown to be an excellent alternative for CA purification.