Continuous superporous agarose beds for chromatography and electrophoresis

Membrane-based purification and recovery of phosphate and antibiotics by two-dimensional zeolitic nanoflakes

The pervasive presence of persistent contaminants in water resources, including phosphate and antibiotics, has attracted significant attention due to their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Adsorption membranes packed with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed as a potential solution to this challenge due to their high surface area to volume ratio, and the tailored functionality they can provide for selective purification. However, devising a straightforward method to enhance the stability of MOF membranes on polymer supports and manipulate their surface morphology remains challenging. In this study, we present a facile solution immersion technique to fabricate a ZIF-L adsorption membrane on commercial supports by leveraging the self-polymerization characteristics of dopamine. The simple coating methodology provides a polydopamine-lined interface that regulates the ZIF-L heteroepitaxial growth, along with tailored nanoflake morphology. Compared with crystals prepared in bulk solution, the sorbents grown on the membrane exhibit a higher saturation capacity of 248 mg g^-1 of phosphate (∼80 mg phosphorus per g sorbent) and 196 mg g^-1 for tetracycline in static adsorption experiments at 30 °C. Additionally, the membranes are capable of selectively removing 99.5% of the phosphate in simulant solutions comprising competitive background ions in various concentrations, and efficiently removing tetracycline. The result from the static adsorption experiments directly translates to a flow-through process, showcasing the utility of a composite membrane with a 3 μm thick active layer in practical adsorption applications. The facile solution immersion fabrication protocol introduced in this work may offer a more efficient paradigm to harness the potential of MOF composite membranes in selective adsorption and resource recovery applications.

Macroporous chitin microspheres prepared by surfactant micelle swelling strategy for rapid capture of lead (II) from wastewater

Heavy metal pollution of water source continues to be one of the most serious environmental problems which have attracted major global concern. Here, a macroporous chitin microsphere is prepared by surfactant micelle swelling strategy followed by modification with tetraethylenepentamine for Pb²⁺ removal from wastewater. The resultant adsorbent not only exhibits fast adsorption kinetic (>80% of its equilibrium uptake within 20 min) but also has high adsorption capacity of 218.4 ± 6.59 mg/g and excellent reusability (>75% of its initial adsorption capacity after five adsorption/desorption cycles). More importantly, under the continuous operating mode, the adsorbent can treat about 39,000 kg water/kg adsorbent, and the Pb²⁺ concentration decreases from 2000 μg/L to smaller than 10 μg/L, meeting the drinking water standard recommended by the World Health Organization (10 μg/L). All results indicate that the tetraethylenepentamine-modified macroporous chitin microspheres have great potential in the treatment of heavy metal contamination.

Affinity monolith chromatography: A review of general principles and recent developments

Affinity monolith chromatography (AMC) is a liquid chromatographic technique that utilizes a monolithic support with a biological ligand or related binding agent to isolate, enrich, or detect a target analyte in a complex matrix. The target-specific interaction exhibited by the binding agents makes AMC attractive for the separation or detection of a wide range of compounds. This article will review the basic principles of AMC and recent developments in this field. The supports used in AMC will be discussed, including organic, inorganic, hybrid, carbohydrate, and cryogel monoliths. Schemes for attaching binding agents to these monoliths will be examined as well, such as covalent immobilization, biospecific adsorption, entrapment, molecular imprinting, and coordination methods. An overview will then be given of binding agents that have recently been used in AMC, along with their applications. These applications will include bioaffinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography, and dye-ligand or biomimetic affinity chromatography. The use of AMC in chiral separations and biointeraction studies will also be discussed.

Superporous agarose scaffolds for encapsulation of adult human islets and human stem-cell-derived β cells for intravascular bioartificial pancreas applications

Type 1 diabetic patients with severe hypoglycemia unawareness have benefitted from cellular therapies, such as pancreas or islet transplantation; however, donor shortage and the need for immunosuppression limits widespread clinical application. We previously developed an intravascular bioartificial pancreas (iBAP) using silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) for immunoprotection. To ensure ample nutrient delivery, the iBAP will need a cell scaffold with high hydraulic permeability to provide mechanical support and maintain islet viability and function. Here, we examine the feasibility of superporous agarose (SPA) as a potential cell scaffold in the iBAP. SPA exhibits 66-fold greater hydraulic permeability than the SNM along with a short (<10 μm) diffusion distance to the nearest islet. SPA also supports short-term functionality of both encapsulated human islets and stem-cell-derived enriched β-clusters in a convection-based system, demonstrated by high viability (>95%) and biphasic insulin responses to dynamic glucose stimulus. These findings suggest that the SPA scaffold will not limit nutrient delivery in a convection-based bioartificial pancreas and merits continued investigation.

An insight into chiral monolithic stationary phases for enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography applications

In this review, three main classes of chiral monolithic stationary phases, namely silica-, organic polymer-, and hybrid-based monolithic stationary phases, are covered. Their preparations, applications, and advantages compared with the conventional-packed and open-tubular capillary columns are discussed. A detailed description of the different types and techniques used for the introduction of chiral selectors into the monolithic matrices such as immobilization, functionalization, coating, encapsulation, and bonding. Special emphasis is given to the recent developments of chiral selectors in HPLC monolithic stationary phases during the past 18 years.

High-Affinity Detection and Capture of Heavy Metal Contaminants using Block Polymer Composite Membranes

Adsorptive membranes offer one possible solution to the challenge of removing and recovering heavy metal ion contaminants and resources from water supplies. However, current membrane-based sorbents suffer from low binding affinities, leading to issues when contaminants are present at trace concentrations or when the source waters have a high concentration of background electrolytes that compete for open binding sites. Here, these challenges are addressed in the design of a highly permeable (i.e., permeability of ∼2.8 × 104 L m-2 h-1 bar-1) sorbent platform based on polysulfone and polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) composite membranes. The membranes possess a fully interconnected network of poly(acrylic acid)-lined pores, which enables the surface chemistry to be tailored through sequential attachment of polyethylenimine brushes and metal-binding terpyridine ligands. The polyethylenimine brushes increase the saturation capacity, while the addition of terpyridine enables high-affinity binding to a diversity of transition metal ions (i.e., Pd2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Nd3+, and Sm3+). This platform removes these metal contaminants from solution with a sorbent capacity of 1.2 mmol g-1 [based on Cu2+ uptake]. The metal capture performance of the functionalized membranes persists in spite of high concentrations of competitive ions, with >99% removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from artificial groundwater and seawater solutions. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate the efficient purification of feed solutions containing multiple heavy metal ions under dynamic flow conditions. Finally, fluorescence quenching of the terpyridine moiety upon metal ion complexation offers an in situ probe to monitor the extent of sorbent saturation with a Stern-Volmer association constant of 2.9 × 104 L mol-1. The permeability, capacity, and affinity of these membranes, with high-density display of a metal-binding ligand, offer a chemically tailored platform to address the challenges that arise in ensuring clean water.

Monolith columns for liquid chromatographic separations of intact proteins: A review of recent advances and applications

In this article we survey 256 references (with an emphasis on the papers published in the past decade) on monolithic columns for intact protein separation. Protein enrichment and purification are included in the broadly defined separation. After a brief introduction, we describe the types of monolithic columns and modes of chromatographic separations employed for protein separations. While the majority of the work is still in the research and development phase, papers have been published toward utilizing monolithic columns for practical applications. We survey these papers as well in this review. Characteristics of selected methods along with their pros and cons will also be discussed.

Affinity monolith chromatography: A review of general principles and applications

Affinity monolith chromatography, or AMC, is a liquid chromatographic method in which the support is a monolith and the stationary phase is a biological-binding agent or related mimic. AMC has become popular for the isolation of biochemicals, for the measurement of various analytes, and for studying biological interactions. This review will examine the principles and applications of AMC. The materials that have been used to prepare AMC columns will be discussed, which have included various organic polymers, silica, agarose, and cryogels. Immobilization schemes that have been used in AMC will also be considered. Various binding agents and applications that have been reported for AMC will then be described. These applications will include the use of AMC for bioaffinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, dye-ligand affinity chromatography, and immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography. The use of AMC with chiral stationary phases and as a tool to characterize biological interactions will also be examined.

Nanoporous Block Polymer Thin Films Functionalized with Bio-Inspired Ligands for the Efficient Capture of Heavy Metal Ions from Water

Heavy metal contamination of water supplies poses a serious threat to public health, prompting the development of novel and sustainable treatment technologies. One promising approach is to molecularly engineer the chemical affinity of a material for the targeted removal of specific molecules from solution. In this work, nanoporous polymer thin films generated from tailor-made block polymers were functionalized with the bio-inspired moieties glutathione and cysteamine for the removal of heavy metal ions, including lead and cadmium, from aqueous solutions. In a single equilibrium stage, the films achieved removal rates of the ions in excess of 95%, which was consistent with predictions based on the engineered material properties. In a flow-through configuration, the thin films achieved an even greater removal rate of the metal ions. Furthermore, in mixed ion solutions the capacity of the thin films, and corresponding removal rates, did not demonstrate any reduction due to competitive adsorption effects. After such experiments the material was repeatedly regenerated quickly with no observed loss in capacity. Thus, these membranes provide a sustainable platform for the efficient purification of lead- and cadmium-contaminated water sources to safe levels. Moreover, their straightforward chemical modifications suggest that they could be engineered to treat sources containing other recalcitrant environmental contaminants as well.

Nanostructured Membranes from Triblock Polymer Precursors as High Capacity Copper Adsorbents

Membrane adsorbers are a proposed alternative to packed beds for chromatographic separations. To date, membrane adsorbers have suffered from low binding capacities and/or complex processing methodologies. In this work, a polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PI-PS-PDMA) triblock polymer is cast into an asymmetric membrane that possesses a high density of nanopores (d ∼ 38 nm) at the upper surface of the membrane. Exposing the membrane to a 6 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution converts the PDMA brushes that line the pore walls to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brushes, which are capable of binding metal ions (e.g., copper ions). Using mass transport tests and static binding experiments, the saturation capacity of the PI-PS-PAA membrane was determined to be 4.1 ± 0.3 mmol Cu(2+) g(-1). This experimental value is consistent with the theoretical binding capacity of the membranes, which is based on the initial PDMA content of the triblock polymer precursor and assumes a 1:1 stoichiometry for the binding interaction. The uniformly sized nanoscale pores provide a short diffusion length to the binding sites, resulting in a sharp breakthrough curve. Furthermore, the membrane is selective for copper ions over nickel ions, which permeate through the membrane over 10 times more rapidly than copper during the loading stage. This selectivity is present despite the fact that the sizes of these two ions are nearly identical and speaks to the chemical selectivity of the triblock polymer-based membrane. Furthermore, addition of a pH 1 solution releases the bound copper rapidly, allowing the membrane to be regenerated and reused with a negligible loss in binding capacity. Because of the high binding capacities, facile processing method implemented, and ability to tailor further the polymer brushes lining the pore walls using straightforward coupling reactions, these membrane adsorbers based on block polymer precursors have potential as a separation media that can be designed to a variety of specific applications.

Affinity monolith chromatography: a review of principles and recent analytical applications

Affinity monolith chromatography (AMC) is a type of liquid chromatography that uses a monolithic support and a biologically related binding agent as a stationary phase. AMC is a powerful method for the selective separation, analysis, or study of specific target compounds in a sample. This review discusses the basic principles of AMC and recent developments and applications of this method, with particular emphasis being given to work that has appeared in the last 5 years. Various materials that have been used to prepare columns for AMC are examined, including organic monoliths, silica monoliths, agarose monoliths, and cryogels. These supports have been used in AMC for formats that have ranged from traditional columns to disks, microcolumns, and capillaries. Many binding agents have also been employed in AMC, such as antibodies, enzymes, proteins, lectins, immobilized metal ions, and dyes. Some applications that have been reported with these binding agents in AMC are bioaffinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography or immunoextraction, immobilized-metal-ion affinity chromatography, dye-ligand affinity chromatography, chiral separations, and biointeraction studies. Examples are presented from fields that include analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, clinical testing, and biotechnology. Current trends and possible directions in AMC are also discussed.

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization-derived large-volume monolithic supports for reversed-phase and anion-exchange chromatography of biomolecules

Preparative-scale monolithic columns up to 433.5 mL in volume were prepared via transition metal-catalyzed ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) from norborn-2-ene (NBE) and trimethylolpropane-tris(5-norbornene-2-carboxylate) (CL) using the 1(st)-generation Grubbs initiator RuCl(2)(PCy(3))(2)(CHPh) (Cy = cyclohexyl) (1) in the presence of a macro- and microporogen, i.e. of 2-propanol and toluene. To prepare large-volume monoliths, bulk polymerizations were completed within borosilicate or PEEK column formats with diameters in the range of 3 to 49 mm. The pore structure of the large-volume monoliths was investigated by electron microscopy and inverse-size exclusion chromatography (ISEC), respectively. Monolithic columns with inner diameters (I.D.s) in the range of 10-49 mm were tested for the separation of a mixture of five proteins, i.e., insulin, cytochrome C, lysozyme, conalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin. Preparative separation of these proteins was achieved within less than 12 min in a 433.5 mL monolithic column by applying gradient elution in the RP-HPLC mode. Furthermore, weak and strong anion exchangers were prepared via post-synthesis grafting of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl-methyl-N,N-dimethylammonium hydrochloride (4) and bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ylmethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium iodide (5), respectively. The weak and strong anion exchangers were used for the preparative-scale separation of 5'-phosphorylated oligodeoxythymidylic acid fragments of d[pT](12-18) at pH values ranging from 5 to 9.

Bioaffinity chromatography on monolithic supports

Affinity chromatography on monolithic supports is a powerful analytical chemical platform because it allows for fast analyses, small sample volumes, strong enrichment of trace biomarkers and applications in microchips. In this review, the recent research using monolithic materials in the field of bioaffinity chromatography (including immunochromatography) is summarized and discussed. After giving an introduction into affinity chromatography, information on different biomolecules (antibodies, enzymes, lectins, aptamers) that can act as ligands in bioaffinity chromatography is presented. Subsequently, the history of monoliths, their advantages, preparation and formats (disks, capillaries and microchips) as well as ligand immobilization techniques are mentioned. Finally, analytical and preparative applications of bioaffinity chromatography on monoliths are presented. During the last four years 37 papers appeared. Protein A and G are still most often used as ligands for the enrichment of immunoglobulins. Antibodies and lectins remain popular for the analysis of mainly smaller molecules and saccharides, respectively. The highly porous cryogels modified with ligands are applied for the sorting of different cells or bacteria. New is the application of aptamers and phages as ligands on monoliths. Convective interaction media (epoxy CIM disks) are currently the most used format in monolithic bioaffinity chromatography.

Evaluation of silica monoliths in affinity microcolumns for high-throughput analysis of drug-protein interactions

Silica monoliths in affinity microcolumns were tested for the high-throughput analysis of drug-protein interactions. HSA was used as a model protein for this work, while carbamazepine and R-warfarin were used as model analytes. A comparison of HSA silica monoliths of various lengths indicated columns as short as 1 to 3 mm could be used to provide reproducible estimates of retention factors or plate heights. Benefits of using smaller columns for this work included the lower retention times and lower back pressures that could be obtained versus traditional HPLC affinity columns, as well as the smaller amount of protein that is required for column preparation. One disadvantage of decreasing column length was the lower precision that resulted in retention factor and plate height measurements. A comparison was also made between microcolumns containing silica particles versus silica monoliths. It was demonstrated with R-warfarin that supports could be used in HSA microcolumns for the determination of retention factors or plate heights. However, the higher efficiency of the silica monolith made this the preferred support for work at higher flow rates or when a larger number of plates are needed during the rapid analysis of drug-protein interactions.

Preparation and characterization of superporous agarose-reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes as platforms for electrochemical bioassays

Three-dimensional flow-through electrodes were fabricated using superporous agarose (SPA) and reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) composite materials that were suitable as a platform for sandwich assays. These SPA-RVC composite electrodes were fabricated by fitting a SPA-RVC composite cylinder inside a graphite tube and subsequently fixing the graphite tube onto a polypropylene micropipette tip. The electrode design allows for ease in reagent/washing steps involved in sandwich assay protocols and could easily be made portable. The electrode materials were characterized with respect to pore-size distribution, total free volume, ligament and bulk densities of the RVC, and physical structural characteristics. Coulometric detection of redox molecules such as K(3)Fe(CN)(6) and 4-aminophenol was possible using SPA-RVC electrodes by the trapping of these redox molecules inside the SPA-RVC electrodes. Avidin affinity molecules were covalently immobilized onto the SPA matrix inside the RVC electrodes by periodate-activation followed by reductive amination. The amount of avidin immobilized inside the SPA-RVC electrodes was (5+/-0.06)x10(-11) mol, which was determined by saturating the avidin sites with biotinylated fluorescein (b-fluo) and subsequently determining the amount of immobilized b-fluo via a standard addition method using fluorescence spectroscopy. Non-specific binding of labeled enzymes such as biotinylated alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) onto the SPA-RVC electrodes without avidin capture sites was determined to be less than 1% compared to the specific binding of b-ALP on avidinylated SPA-RVC electrodes.

Methods in cell separations

Research in the field of cell biology and biomedicine relies on technologies that fractionate cell populations and isolate rare cell types to high purity. A brief overview of methods and commercially available products currently used in cell separations is presented. Cell fractionation by size and density and highly selective affinity-based technologies such as affinity chromatography, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic cell sorting are discussed in terms of throughput, yield, and purity.

Affinity monolith chromatography

The combined use of monolithic supports with selective affinity ligands as stationary phases has recently given rise to a new method known as affinity monolith chromatography (AMC). This review will discuss the basic principles behind AMC and examine the types of supports and ligands that have been employed in this method. Approaches for placing affinity ligands in monoliths will be considered, including methods based on covalent immobilization, biospecific adsorption, entrapment, and the formation of coordination complexes. Several reported applications will then be presented, such as the use of AMC for bioaffinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography, dye-ligand affinity chromatography, and biomimetic chromatography. Other applications that will be discussed are chiral separations and studies of biological interactions based on AMC.

Capture of bacterial endotoxins using a supermacroporous monolithic matrix with immobilized polyethyleneimine, lysozyme or polymyxin B

Bacterial endotoxins (BEs) are integrated part of Escherichia coli, a microorganism widely used for the production of recombinant proteins. BEs should be eliminated in the course of down stream processing of target protein produced by these bacteria. Supermacroporous monolith (continuous bed) columns, so called cryogel columns, with immobilized polyethyleneimine (PEI), polymyxin B (PMB) and lysozyme were employed for BEs capture. Due to the large interconnected pores it was possible to use cryogel columns at flow rates as high as 10 ml/min. The columns packed with Sepharose CL-4B with immobilized PEI, PMB and lysozyme were impossible to use at these high flow rates due to the collapse of the bed. The dynamic capacities of the cryogel columns were nearly independent of the flow rate. In the presence of EDTA, BEs were quantitatively captured from mixtures with a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) at pH 7.2 with practically no protein losses. At pH 3.6 BEs were captured directly from non-clarified E. coli cell lysate resulting in more than 10(4) times BEs clearance.

High throughput processing of particulate-containing samples using supermacroporous elastic monoliths in microtiter (multiwell) plate format

Two steps in parallel processing of multiple biosamples, namely, sample clarification and capture of the target protein, were integrated and combined with the direct assay of captured protein using a newly developed microtiter (96-well) plate system based on the monoliths of hydrophilic elastic supermacroporous material, cryogel. Cryogel monoliths have pore size large enough for microbial and mammalian cells to pass through unretained. Moreover, cryogel monoliths are elastic allowing them to be slightly compressed and easily introduced into the wells. When expanded, cryogel monoliths fill the well tightly with no risk of leakage in between the monolith and the walls of the well. The capillary forces keep the liquid inside the pores of the cryogel monolith making the monolith columns drainage protected. The application of a certain volume of liquid on top of a cryogel monolith column results in the displacement of exactly the same volume of liquid from the column. The concept of using supermacroporous gels in 96-well plate format offers new possibilities to the biotechnologist allowing separation of particulate matter, capturing of soluble material from particle containing media, and parallel assay of large number of non-clarified samples.

Convective Interaction Media (CIM)--short layer monolithic chromatographic stationary phases

Modern downstream processing requires fast and highly effective methods to obtain large quantities of highly pure substances. Commonly applied method for this purpose is chromatography. However, its main drawback is its throughput since purification, especially of large molecules, requires long process time. To overcome this problem several new stationary phases were introduced, among which short layer monoliths show superior properties for many applications. The purpose of this review is to give an overview about short methacrylate monolithic columns commercialised under the trademark Convective Interaction Media (CIM). Their unique properties are described from different perspectives, explaining reasons for their application on various areas. Approaches to prepare large volume methacrylate monolithic column are discussed and optimal solutions are given. Different examples of CIM monolithic column implementation are summarised in the last part of the article to give the reader an idea about their advantages.

Characterization of polyacrylamide based monolithic columns

Supermacroporous monolithic polyacrylamide (pAAm)-based columns have been prepared by radical cryo-copolymerization (copolymerization in the moderately frozen system) of acrylamide with functional co-monomer, allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), and cross-linker N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBAAm) directly in glass columns (ID 10 mm). The monolithic columns have uniform supermacroporous sponge-like structure with interconnected supermacropores of pore size 5-100 microm. The monoliths can be dried and stored in the dry state. High mechanical stability of the monoliths allowed sterilization by autoclaving. Column-to-column reproducibility of pAAm-monoliths was demonstrated on 5 monolithic columns from different batches prepared under the same cryostructuration conditions.

Continuous beds (monoliths): stationary phases for liquid chromatography formed using the hydrophobic interaction-based phase separation mechanism

The pioneering research work published by Hjertén et al. [J. Chromatogr. 473 (1989) 273] in 1989 dealing with development and application of the continuous bed (monolithic) technique as an attractive alternative for the classical packed columns in chromatography, stimulated further investigations in this direction. The research data published since that time on the development and application of the continuous beds formed using hydrophobic interaction-based phase separation mechanism are reviewed. Some innovative species of the beds, such as polyrotaxane beds or nonparticulate restricted-access materials for direct analysis of the biological fluids in the capillary format are also discussed. Characteristic features and practical details of the continuous bed technique are revealed. Due to many advantages, the continuous bed technique became a competitor with the traditional packings in capillary or chip-based microanalysis. The importance of the continuous bed morphology on the chromatographic characteristics is shown. The applicability of modern microscopic analysis to evaluate the morphology of the continuous beds is demonstrated.

Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) composite membranes for heavy metal removal

The effective removal of toxic heavy metals from environmental samples still remains a major topic of present research. Metal-chelating membranes are very promising materials as adsorbents when compared with conventional beads because they are not compressible, and they eliminate internal diffusion limitations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a novel adsorbent, Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA)/chitosan) composite membranes, for the removal of three toxic heavy metal ions, namely, Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) from aquatic systems. The Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) composite membranes were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The immobilized amount of the Procion Green H-4G was calculated as 0.018+/-0.003 micromol/cm(2) from the nitrogen and sulphur stoichiometry. The adsorption capacity of Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) composite membranes for selected heavy metal ions from aqueous media containing different amounts of these ions (30-400mg/l) and at different pH values (2.0-6.0) was investigated. The amount of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) adsorbed onto the membranes measured at equilibrium, increased with time during the first 45 min and then remained unchanged toward the equilibrium adsorption. The maximum amounts of heavy metal ions adsorbed were 43.60+/-1.74, 68.81+/-2.75 and 48.22+/-1.92 mg/g for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II), respectively. The heavy metal ion adsorption on the pHEMA/chitosan membranes (carrying no dye) were relatively low, 6.31+/-0.13 mg/g for Cd(II), 18.73+/-0.37 mg/g for Pb(II) and 18.82+/-0.38 mg/g for Hg(II). Competitive adsorption of the metal ions was also studied. When the metal ions competed with each other, the adsorbed amounts were 12.74+/-0.38 mg Cd(II)/g, 28.80+/-0.86 mg Pb(II)/g and 18.41+/-0.54 mg Hg(II)/g. Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) membranes can be regenerated by washing with a solution of nitric acid (0.01 M). The percent desorption achieved was as high as 95%. These novel membranes are suitable for repeated use for more than five adsorption/desorption cycles without any considerable loss in adsorption capacity. Adsorption equilibria were well described by Langmuir equation. It can be concluded that Procion Green H-4G immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) membranes may effectively be used for the removal of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions.

Chromatography of microbial cells using continuous supermacroporous affinity and ion-exchange columns

Continuous supermacroporous chromatographic columns with anion-exchange ligands [2-(dimethylamino)ethyl group] and immobilized metal affinity (IMA) ligands (Cu2+-loaded iminodiacetic acid) have been developed allowing binding of Escherichia coli cells and the elution of bound cells with high recoveries. These poly(acrylamide)-based continuous supermacroporous columns have been produced by radical co-polymerization of monomers in aqueous solution frozen inside a column (cryo-polymerization). After thawing, the column contains a continuous matrix (so-called cryogel) with interconnected pores of 10-100 microm in size. The large pore size of the matrix makes it possible for E. coli cells to pass unhindered through a plain column containing no ligands. E. coli cells bound to an ion-exchange column at low ionic strength were eluted with 70-80% recovery at NaCl concentrations of 0.35-0.40 M, while cells bound to an IMA-column were eluted with around 80% recovery using either 10 mM imidazole or 20 mM EDTA solutions, respectively. The cells maintain their viability after the binding/elution procedure. These preliminary results indicate that microbial cells can be handled in a chromatographic mode using supermacroporous continuous columns. These columns are easy to manufacture from cheap and readily available starting materials, which make the columns suitable for single-time use.

Immobilized-biomembrane affinity chromatography for binding studies of membrane proteins

Analyses of specific interactions between solutes and a membrane protein can serve to characterize the protein. Frontal affinity chromatography of an interactant on a column containing the membrane protein immobilized in a lipid environment is a simple and robust approach for series of experiments with particular protein molecules. Regression analysis of the retention volumes at a series of interactant concentrations shows the affinity of the protein for the interactant and the amount of active binding sites. The higher the affinity, the fewer sites are required to give sufficient retention. Competition experiments provide the affinities of even weakly binding solutes and the non-specific retention of the primary interactant. Hummel and Dreyer size-exclusion chromatography allows complementary analyses of non-immobilized membrane materials. Analyses of the human facilitative glucose transporter GLUT1 by use of the inhibitor cytochalasin B (radioactively labeled) and the competitive substrate D-glucose (non-labeled) showed that GLUT1 interconverted between two states, exhibiting one or two cytochalasin B-binding sites per two GLUTI monomers, dependent on the membrane composition and environment. Similar analyses of a nucleoside transporter, a photosynthetic reaction center, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and a P-glycoprotein, alternative techniques, and immobilized-liposome chromatographic approaches are presented briefly.

Characterization and modeling of monolithic stationary phases: application to preparative chromatography

A methodology for characterizing and modeling preparative separations on monolithic ion-exchange stationary phases is presented. A dimensionless group analysis was carried out to determine the relative importance of mass transfer and kinetic resistances on this stationary phase. In contrast to conventional beaded morphologies, the continuous bed stationary phase was found to possess enhanced mass transport properties resulting in kinetic resistance as the dominant non-ideality. Accordingly, a reaction-dispersive steric-mass action formalism was successfully utilized for simulating preparative displacement chromatography on this resin. Since kinetics were found to be important on this column morphology, mobile phase salt concentration was found to be an important variable during displacement chromatography on this stationary phase. An increase in the mobile phase salt concentration was found to significantly improve the displacement separation of a model protein mixture. The formalism presented in this paper provides a better understanding of preparative chromatography in monolithic resin systems and a means of simulating separations on this class of chromatographic stationary phases.

Continuous superporous agarose beds in radial flow columns

Continuous superporous agarose beds constitute a new support material for chromatography, biocatalysis and electrophoresis. The bed consists of a single piece of agarose gel, homogeneously transected by flow-carrying pores, which easily can be varied in the range of 10-100 microm. In this work, large diameter beds (60 mm) were prepared and used in specially designed radial flow columns. The basic chromatographic properties of the beds were investigated by size-exclusion chromatography experiments. In an affinity chromatography application one bed was derivatized with Cibacron Blue 3GA and used for the purification of lactate dehydrogenase from a crude bovine heart extract. In a biotransformation application one bed was provided with immobilized beta-galactosidase and used in the production of lactose-free milk.