Affinity constants in immunoadsorptive chromatography: their simple determination and application to the selection of eluents in and optimization of the elution process

The use of high pressure for separation and production of bioactive molecules

Due to its action on the forces governing inter- and intramolecular interactions, the application of high pressure to biopurification or bio-elaboration of a product are of interest. The two closely thermodynamically related parameters, pressure and temperature, render processes based on their action clean, as no chemical reagents have to be added (and thus further removed) when they are applied. The use of high pressure in the development of desorption methods for the purification of bioactive molecules, particularly in the immunoaffinity field, is reviewed and discussed. Also mentioned is the application of the pressure parameter during the synthesis of a bioreagent. Finally, integrated processes relative to the synthesis and purification of these compounds are proposed.

Biospecific interactions: their quantitative characterization and use for solute purification

Biospecificity is due largely to the formation and dissociation of non-covalent complexes between small molecules and macromolecules, or between two macromolecules. The first part of this review is concerned with the use of such biospecificity in the fractionation and identification of solutes. Major emphasis is given to affinity chromatography, especially in regard to the practical considerations inherent in an experimental situation and to the wide range of specific interactions that can be utilized. The second part of the review considers the quantitative characterization of biospecific complex formation. The merits of frontal gel chromatography, electrophoretic methods and affinity chromatography are discussed, and special consideration is given to the effects of ligand and/or acceptor multivalency because of its relevance to many biospecific interactions. Finally attention is drawn to the feasibility of employing quantitative affinity chromatographic theory for the determination of association constants for antigen-antibody systems by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques.