Silica‐conalbumin conjugate as an inexpensive alternative for metalloprotein affinity metal chromatography

Abstract

Abstract A newly developed method of chromatography based on the affinity of metal ions for the apometalloprotein conalbumin (ovotransferrin, OT) has the potential to decontaminate and selectively recover metal ions from wastewater [1, 2]. The presence of inorganic contaminants in surface water is perhaps one of the most important environmental issues of our time. Thus, efforts to solve this problem by applying our recent understanding of metal‐protein interactions has lead us to the search for different apometalloproteins that could be affixed to inert supports to act as affinity media for a variety of heavy metal ions. The successful immobilization of conalbumin onto sepharose has served as an entry into this chemistry; however, the ability to apply this methodology away from the laboratory environment is highly dependent on the cost and robustness of the support employed, as well as the cost of the reagents and methods utilized to achieve a functional metal affinity column. Results in the direction of reducing the cost of the support and the methodology involved are presented here.