The potential of Ultrogel®, an agarose‐polyacrylamide copolymer, as a matrix for affinity chromatography

The selection of the inert support in the synthesis of adsorbents for affinity chromatography is constrain, ed by several factors.It should be stable to chemical and biological degradations, hydrophilic, easily substituted and uniform to enhance the chromatographic process.The comparative advantages of polyacrylamide, glass, cellulose, cross-linked dextrans and beaded agarose have been reviewed [1-3] ; currently the most popular support materials are polysaccharides, especially beaded agarose.Recently the microscopic structure of these polysaccharide matrices has been investigated both with respect to their ability to withstand various activation procedures, in particular cyanogen bromide [4], and also the distribution of the immobilised ligand throughout the matrix following coupling [5,6], which in itself may be a function of the CNBr activation [7].In a previous communication [4] we reported that beaded cross-linked dextrans were susceptible to structural damage during CNBr activation, whilst beaded agarose was not obviously affected provided that vigorous stirring was avoided.However, microscopic inclusions and vacuoles were observed in approx.5% of the commercially available agarose beads.Subsequently Gribnau et al. [8] reported the presence of similar particles in commercial preparations of agarose.The uncertain effect of Abbreviations: LDH, lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27);MDH, malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37);YADH, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1);N~-AMP, N 6-(6-aminohexyl)-5'-AMP.