Calcium tartrate gel

A method for preparation of a gel for chromatography has been developed. The adsorbent is calcium tartrate treated with potassium phosphate. By changing the temperature of synthesis (10-65 degrees C) and concentration of the salts (calcium chloride and sodium potassium tartrate) from 0.3 to 3.0 M, we have been able to prepare adsorbent crystals of definite sizes in the range 35-200 microns. In all cases, for synthesis of adsorbent, the Ca2+/K+Na+ ratio was greater than 1. After treatment of calcium tartrate crystals with 0.075-1.5 M potassium phosphate at 80-100 degrees C and pH 8.5-9.0, an appropriate chromatographic adsorbent was prepared. The chromatographic properties of calcium tartrate gel have been studied. The adsorbent permits flow rates of 25-150 ml/h, depending on the particle size. The capacity of calcium tartrate gel for binding BSA, RNA, and DNA was similar to that of Tiselius' hydroxyapatite (A. Tiselius, S. Hjerten, O. Levin (1956) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 65, 132-155). The spheric shape of gel particles permits uniform and compact packing of adsorbent under the conditions of column chromatography.