PREPARATION OF PERFLUOROCARBON DROPLETS C ONTAINING PROTEINS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO PROTEIN SEPARATION

Perfluorocarbon (PFC) droplets containing proteins were prepared by us ing perfluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBC) as a modifier. Two procedures for introducing proteins to PFC phase were examined. One was that protein s were directly modified with PFBC to partition the protein to PFC pha se (direct method). The other was that dextran was first introduced to PFC droplets by the direct method and then proteins were immobilized through the dextran by using a NaIO4 oxidization method (dextran- medi ated method). In the direct method, there was an optimal concentration of PFBC to obtain maximal activity of the protein introduced. PFC dro plets introduced concanavalin A were used for adsorption and separatio n of horseradish peroxidase (POD). The PFC droplets could adsorb 60% o f POD added and 50% of POD adsorbed was recovered from the PFC phase. Moreover, the PFC droplets could be repeatedly used for adsorption and elution of POD.