Antibody separation using lectin modified poly(HEMA-EDMA) hydrogel membranes

Abstract

Herein we describe the synthesis of Concanavalin A-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate) hydrogel membranes (via photopolymerization technique) for antibody separation from aqueous solutions. Different characterization techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Elemental Analysis and swelling tests revealed the highly rough morphology and spherical shape of the synthetized membranes. Attached amount of IMEO (salinization agent) onto polymeric structure and Con A binding capacity were found to be 10.85 mol/g and 3.52 mg/g, respectively. Optimum conditions for IgG adsorption such as adsorption capacity, pH and reusability profile of HMs were judiciously characterized. Maximum IgG adsorption capacity of hydrogel membrane was found to be as 26.81 mg/g. Adsorbed IgG was eluted successfully by using 2.0 M of NaCl solution. Reusability profiles of hydrogel membrane in five adsorption-desorption cycles revealed that there was no significant decrease in IgG adsorption capacity at the end of the 5th reuse. The hydrogel membranes reported here hold considerable promise as an effective sorbent system for IgG adsorption with good stability and efficient repeated usage.