Surface-imprinted silica particles for Concanavalin A purification from Canavalia ensiformis

Concanavalin A is a representative of the plant protein group known as lectins. Many lectin proteins have useful characteristics for studies on cell division and cell surfaces. In this study, a new adsorbent for the specific separation of Concanavalin A was prepared by applying a silica particle surface imprinting method. First, silica particles were activated via acidic treatment, and then, 3-methacryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) was used for modification. For the preparation of Concanavalin A surface-imprinted silica particles (Con A-MISPs), N-methacryloyl-l-histidine methyl ester (MAH) was used as a functional monomer. The silica particles were characterized using a Zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy equipment (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of parameters such as the pH, initial concentration of Concanavalin A, and temperature on the adsorption of Concanavalin A were determined. The maximum Concanavalin A adsorption onto Con A-MISPs was observed to be 305.2 mg/g at a pH of 6. The reusability of the Con A-MISPs was approximately 93.5%. The non-imprinted silica particles (NISPs) were prepared in the same manner without Concanavalin A to compare the surface imprinting factor. Selective binding studies were carried out with lysozyme and hemoglobin molecules. The selectivity of the Con A-MISPs was also investigated by isolating Concanavalin A from Canavalia ensiformis. The purity of the Concanavalin A was shown by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).