Macroporous chitosan layer coated on non-porous silica gel as a support for metal chelate affinity chromatographic adsorbent

Affinity chromatography: A versatile technique for antibody purification

Antibodies continue to be extremely utilized entities in myriad applications including basic research, imaging, targeted delivery, chromatography, diagnostics, and therapeutics. At production stage, antibodies are generally present in complex matrices and most of their intended applications necessitate purification. Antibody purification has always been a major bottleneck in downstream processing of antibodies, due to the need of high quality products and associated high costs. Over the years, extensive research has focused on finding better purification methodologies to overcome this holdup. Among a plethora of different techniques, affinity chromatography is one of the most selective, rapid and easy method for antibody purification. This review aims to provide a detailed overview on affinity chromatography and the components involved in purification. An array of support matrices along with various classes of affinity ligands detailing their underlying working principles, together with the advantages and limitations of each system in purifying different types of antibodies, accompanying recent developments and important practical methodological considerations to optimize purification procedure are discussed.

Screening of Potential Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors in Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC. by Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography and Ultrafiltration-Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

In this study, a new method based on immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) combined with ultrafiltration-ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UF-UPLC-MS) was developed for discovering ligands for xanthine oxidase (XO) in Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC., a folk medicine used in China for the treatment of gout. By IMAC, the high flavonoid content of G. hypoleucum could be determined rapidly and efficiently. UF-UPLC-MS was used to select the bound xanthine oxidase ligands in the mixture and identify them. Finally, two flavonoids, luteolin-4′-O-glucoside and luteolin, were successfully screened and identified as the candidate XO inhibitors of G. hypoleucum. They were evaluated in vitro for XO inhibitory activity and their interaction mechanism was studied coupled with molecular simulations. The results were in favor of the hypothesis that the flavonoids of G. hypoleucum might be the active content for gout treatment by inhibiting XO.

Molecular Dynamics of a Water-Absorbent Nanoscale Material Based on Chitosan

Although hydrogels have been widely investigated for their use in materials science, nanotechnology, and novel pharmaceuticals, mechanistic details explaining their water-absorbent features are not well understood. We performed an all-atom molecular dynamics study of the structural transformation of chitosan nanohydrogels due to water absorption. We analyzed the conformation of dry, nanoscaled chitosan, the structural modifications that emerge during the process of water inclusion, and the dynamics of this biopolymer in the presence of nature's solvent. Two sets of nanoscaled, single-chained chitosan models were simulated: one to study the swelling dependence upon the degree of self-cross-linking and other to observe the response with respect to the degree of protonation. We verified that nanohydrogels keep their ability to absorb water and grow, regardless of their degree of cross-linking. Noteworthy, we found that the swelling behavior of nanoscaled chitosan is pH-dependent, and it is considerably more limited than that of larger scale hydrogels. Thus, our study suggests that properties of nanohydrogels are significantly different from those of larger hydrogels. These findings might be important in the design of novel controlled-release and targeted drug-delivery systems based on chitosan.

The Cooperative Effect in Dendronized Chitosan Microbeads

The present study evaluates the cooperative effects of dendronized chitosan microbeads with tris- and hexa-functionalized dendrons for capturing copper and for further use as catalysts. The dendronized microbeads were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, swelling capacity analysis, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. A correlation between the number and type of functional groups at the dendritic surface of the dendronized microbeads and the retention of copper highlights structural features of the cooperative effect. It is demonstrated that covalently bound dendrons can modulate the properties of chitosan, which has shown potential as a catalyst for the development of a novel materials.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed.

Facile synthesis of radial-like macroporous superparamagnetic chitosan spheres with in-situ co-precipitation and gelation of ferro-gels

Macroporous chitosan spheres encapsulating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile and effective one-step fabrication process. Ferro-gels containing ferrous cations, ferric cations and chitosan were dropped into a sodium hydroxide solution through a syringe pump. In addition, a sodium hydroxide solution was employed for both gelation (chitosan) and co-precipitation (ferrous cations and ferric cations) of the ferro-gels. The results showed that the in-situ co-precipitation of ferro-ions gave rise to a radial morphology with non-spheroid macro pores (large cavities) inside the chitosan spheres. The particle size of iron oxide can be adjusted from 2.5 nm to 5.4 nm by tuning the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra, the synthesized nanoparticles were illustrated as Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. In addition, the prepared macroporous chitosan spheres presented a super-paramagnetic behaviour at room temperature with a saturation magnetization value as high as ca. 18 emu/g. The cytotoxicity was estimated using cell viability by incubating doses (0∼1000 µg/mL) of the macroporous chitosan spheres. The result showed good viability (above 80%) with alginate chitosan particles below 1000 µg/mL, indicating that macroporous chitosan spheres were potentially useful for biomedical applications in the future.

Affinity chromatography as a tool for antibody purification

The global antibody market has grown exponentially due to increasing applications in research, diagnostics and therapy. Antibodies are present in complex matrices (e.g. serum, milk, egg yolk, fermentation broth or plant-derived extracts). This has led to the need for development of novel platforms for purification of large quantities of antibody with defined clinical and performance requirements. However, the choice of method is strictly limited by the manufacturing cost and the quality of the end product required. Affinity chromatography is one of the most extensively used methods for antibody purification, due to its high selectivity and rapidity. Its effectiveness is largely based on the binding characteristics of the required antibody and the ligand used for antibody capture. The approaches used for antibody purification are critically examined with the aim of providing the reader with the principles and practical insights required to understand the intricacies of the procedures. Affinity support matrices and ligands for affinity chromatography are discussed, including their relevant underlying principles of use, their potential value and their performance in purifying different types of antibodies, along with a list of commercially available alternatives. Furthermore, the principal factors influencing purification procedures at various stages are highlighted. Practical considerations for development and/or optimizations of efficient antibody-purification protocols are suggested.

Selective adsorption behavior of Pb(II) by mesoporous silica SBA-15-supported Pb(II)-imprinted polymer based on surface molecularly imprinting technique

In this study, a new Pb(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Pb(II)-IIP), which can be used for selective adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions, was successfully prepared based on the supported material of ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 with the help of surface molecular imprinting technology. The prepared polymer was characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm. The results showed that the synthesized polymer possessed high ordered mesoporous structure. The adsorption behavior of the adsorbents for Pb(II) was investigated using batch experiments. The Pb(II)-IIP showed fast kinetics, high selectivity and satisfied adsorption capacity for adsorption of Pb(II). Under the optimum experimental condition, Pb(II) adsorption process over Pb(II)-IIP follows pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics and follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters calculated from the adsorption data suggested that the adsorption of Pb(II) onto Pb(II)-IIP was a spontaneous and exothermic nature of the process.

Preparation of silica-supported porous sorbent for heavy metal ions removal in wastewater treatment by organic–inorganic hybridization combined with sucrose and polyethylene glycol imprinting

A new porous sorbent for wastewater treatment of metal ions was synthesized by covalent grafting of molecularly imprinted organic-inorganic hybrid on silica gel. With sucrose and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) being synergic imprinting molecules, covalent surface coating on silica gel was achieved by using polysaccharide-incorporated sol-gel process starting from the functional biopolymer, chitosan and an inorganic epoxy-precursor, gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysiloxane (GPTMS) at room temperature. The prepared porous sorbent was characterized by using simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption porosimetry measurement and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Copper ion, Cu(2+), was chosen as the model metal ion to evaluate the effectiveness of the new biosorbent in wastewater treatment. The influence of epoxy-siloxane dose, buffer pH and co-existed ions on Cu(2+) adsorption was assessed through batch experiments. The imprinted composite sorbent offered a fast kinetics for the adsorption of Cu(2+). The uptake capacity of the sorbent imprinted by two pore-building components was higher than those imprinted with only a single component. The dynamic adsorption in column underwent a good elimination of Cu(2+) in treating electric plating wastewater. The prepared composite sorbent exhibited high reusability. Easy preparation of the described porous composite sorbent, absence of organic solvents, cost-effectiveness and high stability make this approach attractive in biosorption.

Trypsin immobilization by direct adsorption on metal ion chelated macroporous chitosan-silica gel beads

Silica gel bead coated with macroporous chitosan layer (CTS-SiO(2)) was prepared, and the metal immobilized affinity chromatographic (IMAC) adsorbents could be obtained by chelating Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+) ions, respectively on CTS-SiO(2), and trypsin could be adsorbed on the IMAC adsorbent through metal-protein interaction forces. Batch adsorption experiments show that adsorption capacity for trypsin on these IMAC adsorbent variated with change of pH. The maximal adsorption reached when the solution was in near neutral pH in all three IMAC adsorbents. Adsorption isothermal curve indicated that maximal adsorption capacity could be found in the Cu(2+)-CTS-SiO(2) with the value of 4980+/-125 IUg(-1) of the adsorbent, while the maximal adsorption capacity for trypsin on Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) loaded adsorbent was 3762+/-68 IUg(-1) and 2636+/-53 IUg(-1), respectively. Trypsin immobilized on the IMAC beads could not be desorbed by water, buffer and salt solution if the pH was kept in the range of 5-10, and could be easily desorbed from the IMAC beads by acidic solution and metal chelating species such as EDTA and imidazole. The effect of chelated metal ions species on CTS-SiO(2) beads on the activity and stability of immobilized trypsin was also evaluated and discussed. Trypsin adsorbed on Zn-IMAC beads retained highest amount of activity, about 78% of total activity could be retained. Although the Cu-IMAC showed highest affinity for trypsin, only 25.4% of the calculated activity was found on the beads, while the activity recovery found on Ni-IMAC beads was about 37.1%. A remarkable difference on stability of trypsin immobilized on three kinds of metal ion chelated beads during storage period was also found. Activity of trypsin on Cu-IMAC decreased to 24% of its initial activity after 1-week storage at 4 degrees C, while about 80% activity was retained on both Ni-IMAC and Zn-IMAC beads. Trypsin immobilized on Zn-CTS-SiO(2) could effectively digest BSA revealed by HPLC peptide mapping.

One-pot preparation of silica-supported hybrid immobilized metal affinity adsorbent with macroporous surface based on surface imprinting coating technique combined with polysaccharide incorporated sol–gel process

A simple and reliable one-pot approach using surface imprinting coating technique combined with polysaccharide incorporated sol-gel process was established to synthesize a new organic-inorganic hybrid matrix possessing macroporous surface and functional ligand. Using mesoporous silica gel being a support, immobilized metal affinity adsorbent with a macroporous shell/mesoporous core structure was obtained after metal ion loading. In the prepared matrix, covalently bonded coating and morphology manipulation on silica gel was achieved by using one-pot sol-gel process starting from an inorganic precursor, <gamma>-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysiloxane (GPTMS), and a functional biopolymer, chitosan (CS) at the atmosphere of imprinting polyethylene glycol (PEG). Self-hydrolysis of GPTMS, self-condensation, and co-condensation of silanol groups (Si-OH) from siloxane and silica gel surface, and in situ covalent cross-linking of CS created an orderly coating on silica gel surface. PEG extraction using hot ammonium hydroxide solution gave a chemically and mechanically stabilized pore structure and deactivated residual epoxy groups. The prepared matrix was characterized by using X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The matrix possessed a high capacity for copper ion loading. Protein adsorption performance of the new immobilized metal affinity adsorbent was evaluated by batch adsorption and column chromatographic experiment using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a simple model protein. Under the optimized coating conditions, the obtained macroporous surface resulted in a fast kinetics and high capability for protein adsorption, while the matrix non-charged with metal ions offered a low non-specific adsorption.

Effects of pore structure and molecular size on diffusion in chromatographic adsorbents

Two computational approaches, namely Brownian dynamics and network modeling, are presented for predicting effective diffusion coefficients of probes of different sizes in three chromatographic adsorbents, the structural properties of which were determined previously using electron tomography. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the adsorbents provide detailed, explicit characteristics of the pore network, so that no assumptions have to be made regarding pore properties such as connectivity, pore radius and pore length. The diffusivity predictions obtained from the two modeling approaches were compared to experimental diffusivities measured for dextran and protein probes. Both computational methods captured the same qualitative results, while their predictive capabilities varied among adsorbents.

Novel nylon-supported organic–inorganic hybrid membrane with hierarchical pores as a potential immobilized metal affinity adsorbent

Chitosan-based porous organic-inorganic hybrid membranes supported by microfiltration nylon membranes were prepared, in which gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) was used as an inorganic source as well as crosslinking reagent. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weight and content was used as imprinting molecule for morphology control. In situ crosslinking of chitosan and simultaneous polymerization of GPTMS in PEG template environment endowed the hybrid membrane with specific characteristics. Distinct hybrid effect between chitosan (CS) and GPTMS was revealed by shifting in X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, decomposition in simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC) testing. As manifested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the molecular weight and content of PEG had remarkable effect on the resulting surface morphology of the hybrid membrane and a given surface morphology could be obtained by extracting of the imprinted PEG molecular. Among three types of porogen used: PEG 400, PEG 4000 and PEG 20000, only PEG 20000 could result in a porous surface. Moreover, a special porous surface with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure-in-structure pore fashion was obtained when content of PEG 20000 was controlled at 15%. Experimental results also showed that the hybrid membrane had low swelling ratio and high stability in acidic solution. After conveniently coordinated with copper ions, the porous metal chelating hybrid membrane could effectively adsorb the model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). As expected, the hybrid membrane imprinted with 15% PEG 20000 had remarkably high copper ion binding and BSA adsorption capacity, which might result from the large surface area, high ligand density and suitable interconnected 3D hierarchical porous surface.

Multistep adsorption of anionic dyes on silica/chitosan hybrid

In this work, a hybrid silica/chitosan was synthesized and characterized by nitrogen elemental analysis and thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA, and DSC) and BET surface area. The hybrid was used in adsorption studies of two anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. A rise of temperature accelerates mass transfer of dyes into the hybrid. However, the maximum adsorption capacities reach similar values from 25 to 55 degrees C. The kinetic data were first evaluated in relation to the decrease of the time-related residual concentration of the dyes in solution, where the second-order model has presented the best fitting. The solid-phase interaction of dye data presents a rough fitting to the traditional first-order Lagergren kinetic model. However, a modified Avrami kinetic equation was successfully fitted to the kinetic quantities, where from five to seven kinetic regions were found. A pore-diffusion model has also demonstrated that the diffusion is the rate-controlling interaction mechanism. However, the experimental-calculated comparative values are the best way to evaluate a specific aqueous- or solid-phase kinetic model.