Modification of polystyrenic matrices for the purification of proteins. Effect of the adsorption of poly(vinyl alcohol) on the characteristics of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) beads for use in affinity chromatography.

A poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PSDVB) chromatography matrix, CG1000-sd (TosoHaas), has been modified using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to create a matrix suitable for the attachment of functional groups for the selective purification of proteins. The characteristics of the modified matrix have been studied using a BET nitrogen adsorption/desorption technique and it has been found that the adsorption of PVA results in the bead micropores being filled whilst the bead macropores are left essentially unaltered. There was no protein adsorption onto the modified matrices. A dye ligand (Procion Blue MX-R) has been covalently attached to PVA-PSDVB matrix and the lysozyme capacities of the PVA-PSDVB matrix have been determined. The matrix compares well with commercial Blue Sepharose Fast Flow, an affinity matrix on cross-linked agarose. The dye-PVA-PSDVB matrix is stable when subjected to sanitisation with sodium hydroxide.