Synthesis of Cibacron Blue F3GA‐coupled magnetic PMMA nanospheres and their use for protein affinity separation

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: New magnetic carrier separation technologies, capable of treating dilute solutions in large‐scale processes, even in the presence of biological debris, are necessary for the future development of biotechnology. Non‐porous magnetic carriers are more resistant to fouling, show better mass transfer and have lower non‐specific adsorption than porous carriers. Nanosized magnetic carriers have a surface area comparable to that of typical macroporous resins, and therefore their application has advantages.RESULTS: Magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanospheres with an average diameter of 76 nm and narrow size distribution were prepared by a facile mini‐emulsion polymerization. After surface modification with poly(ethylene glycol), Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was coupled to the magnetic PMMA nanospheres to form dye ligand‐attached magnetic adsorbents for bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption. The CB‐coupled magnetic PMMA nanospheres showed very high adsorption capacity (121.98 mg g−1) and little non‐specific adsorption for BSA. The adsorbed protein could be easily desorbed using high ionic strength solution.CONCLUSION: The CB‐coupled magnetic PMMA nanospheres showed a high BSA adsorption capacity, low non‐specific adsorption and fast adsorption kinetics in comparison with other dye‐affinity adsorbents. These characteristics indicate that these magnetic PMMA nanospheres have great potential for protein affinity separation and purification. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry