Study of the Adsorption of Human Serum Albumin on Reversed-Phase Supports.

This work examines the adsorption of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) on a Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RPLC) support. The adsorption experiments were performed by frontal analysis. Adsorption isotherms were determined in pure buffer and in the presence of acetonitrile. Saturation is always reached, even at the lower protein concentrations. In view of the pore size of the particles (80 Å), it is assumed that HSA is adsorbed on the external surface of silica In presence of acetonitrile, a variability in the amount of HSA adsorbed is found showing a maximum at 25% of acetonitrile. Slower adsorption kinetics are observed when the concentration of the organic modifier in the eluent is increased. The reversibility of HSA binding to the surface was investigated by desorbing the protein with 40% acetonitrile. The amount of HSA irreversibly adsorbed depends upon the experimental conditions used during the adsorption step. It is at a maximum when HSA is adsorbed with 25% acetonitrile. As the temperature is raised and only in the presence of acetonitrile, an important increase of the amount of HSA irreversibly adsorbed is observed.