POLYOL-PROMOTED ADSORPTION OF SERUM-PROTEINS TO AMPHIPHILIC AGAROSE-BASED ADSORBENTS

We tested the promotion of protein adsorption onto amphiphilic agarose -based adsorbents by addition of high concentrations of polyols during the adsorption phase. C-3- to C-5-polyols were inefficient in promoti ng protein adsorption, whereas some of the C-6-polyols studied (sorbit ol, dulcitol and mannitol) could promote serum protein adsorption onto mercaptomethylene pyridine-derivatized agarose, octyl- and phenyl-Sep harose. Sorbitol was the most potent protein adsorption promoter, with a direct relation between the amount of protein adsorbed and the conc entration of sorbitol. For each chromatographic gel, the effects of in creasing concentrations of sorbitol or sodium sulfate on protein adsor ption were similar and two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed the pr eservation of the protein adsorption specificity whether sorbitol or s odium sulfate was used. These results show that a water-structuring sa lt or a polyol can promote protein adsorption in the same manner, pres umably by a related mechanism.