Effect of buffer concentration on gradient chromatofocusing performance separating proteins on a high-performance DEAE column

Abstract

Gradient chromatofocusing is a recently developed chromatographic technique that overcomes the limitations of conventional chromatofocusing. This technique employs a HPLC gradient system and simple low-molecular-mass buffer components to generate linear or other function pH gradients on ion-exchange columns. Results of the present work show a superior separation of β-lactoglobulin A and B in gradient chromatofocusing compared to salt gradient chromatography using the same DEAE column, with an optimized resolution of 2.3 obtained with gradient chromatofocusing compared to 1.1 obtained with NaCl gradients at constant pH. A significant advantage of the gradient chromatofocusing technique over the conventional chromatofocusing technique is its ability to employ a relatively wide range of buffer concentrations in the mobile phase, the effect of which is studied in the present work. Five proteins (conalbumin, ovalbumin, bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin A and B) are chromatographed on a DEAE-polymethacrylate HPLC anion-exchange column using the same approximately linear pH gradient profile but different mobile phase buffer concentrations. Results show a significant effect of buffer concentration on peak width, separation factor and resolution. For example, resolution increases from 1.5 to 2.3 in the separation of β-lactoglobulin A and B when the concentration of each of the components in the 100% elution buffer is increased from 6.25 to 25.0 m M (with the same outlet pH gradient). This separation trend is also seen in the chromatography of ovalbumin from a commercial source, noting a progressive increase in resolution of two peaks in the sample (resolution increased from 0.7 to 2.4) when the concentration of each of the components in the 100% elution buffer is increased from 6.25 to 37.5 m M (same outlet pH gradient). The gains in the resolution are attributed to an increase in the separation factor, since the peak widths are generally noted to also increase with increased buffer concentration. These results point to a significant interplay between buffer concentration and pH, which is not effectively exploited in either conventional chromatofocusing or in conventional ion-exchange chromatographic procedures employing salt gradient elution at constant pH. Gradient chromatofocusing has the ability of optimizing both parameters, thus providing it with unique capabilities in protein separations.