Surface imprinting approach for preparing specific adsorbent for IgG separation

In this study, we focused our attention on preparing of a new adsorbent for specific separation of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In this respect, we applied core–shell surface imprinting approach. Silica microspheres were selected as core-material to prepare specific surface imprinted polymer against IgG. Silica surface was activated via acidic treatment and modified with 3-methacryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS). Then, IgG molecules were imprinted on the surface of microspheres by using N-methacryloyl-L-aspartic acid as complexing/functional monomer. The core–shell silica microspheres were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and zeta size analysis. Then, the microspheres were used for the separation of IgG from aqueous solution to evaluate/optimize conditions. The effect of parameters such as concentration, pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the separation of IgG were evaluated in their relevant ranges. The maximum IgG adsorption capacities of IgG-imprinted and non-imprinted core–shell silica microspheres were found to be 15.43 and 9.43 mg/g, respectively, at pH 6.0 phosphate buffer. 1.0 M NaCl was used as a desorption agent. Selectivity of the imprinted microspheres was also investigated by using human serum albumin and haemoglobin as competitor molecules.