Preparation and use of ion-exchange chromatographic supports based on perfluoropolymers

A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) coated particulate perfluoropolymer (FEP) support has been functionalised with ion-exchange groups for use in ion-exchange chromatography of proteins. Anion-exchange (DEAE and Q) and cation-exchange (SP) groups were introduced to PVA-FEP which had previously been activated using cyanuric chloride. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of SP-PVA-FEP were 31.8 and 25.2 mg ml-1 for lysozyme and IgG respectively while for DEAE-PVA-FEP, the equilibrium adsorption capacities were 14.9 and 9.7 mg ml-1 for beta-lactoglobulin and HSA respectively. The equilibrium adsorption capacities for Q-PVA-FEP were determined to be 17.2 and 13.5 mg ml-1 for beta-lactoglobulin and HSA respectively. Experiments carried out to investigate the resolving power of materials showed that both SP and Q-PVA-FEP were able to resolve proteins with only small differences in their isoelectric points and that this resolution could be maintained at a flow-rate of 1500 cm h-1. SP-PVA-FEP was used to purify lysozyme from egg whites where a 50-fold purification, to homogeneity, was achieved in 98% yield. The anion exchanger, Q-PVA-FEP could be used to purify G6PDH from a clarified homogenate of bakers' yeast 14.3-fold in 81% yield.