High-performance membrane chromatography of proteins, a novel method of protein separation

Abstract

Macroporous polymeric membranes, approximately 1 mm thick, were synthesized from poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate). The epoxide groups were further derivatized to add different functional groups which are commonly used as stationary phases in comumn chromatography. Separations of model mixutres of proteins were carried out on membranes modified with sulpho, C4 or C8 groups; the results were similar to those obtained using a column separation in the ion-exchange mode and in hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The advantage of high-performance membrane chromatography (HPMC) is that the pressure used is lower by as much as two orders of magnitude than that required to reach the same flow-rate in a packed column, although a high loading capacity can still be achieved. This makes HPMC suitable for both analytical and preparative separations. © 1991.