Chromatography of Biological Materials on Polyethylene Glycol Treated Controlled-Pore Glass

Abstract

Controlled-pore glass (CPG) columns will withstand high pressures without damage or loss of flow rates and their pore size and bed dimensions are independent of the eluent. Utilization of untreated CPG has been previously limited for permeation chromatography of various biological materials due to surface adsorption. Treatment of CPG with 1% polyethylene glycol (20, 000) solution prior to column preparation minimizes the adsorption phenomenon. High speed chromatography of proteins and enzymes was performed on treated CPG of various pore diameters. With some exceptions the proteins and enzymes eluted with greater than 92% recovery of the starting material and/or biological activity. Surface-treated CPG represents a useful tool for the characterization of many biological materials.