Monolithic cryogels made of agarose–chitosan composite and loaded with agarose beads for purification of immunoglobulin G

In order to obtain a novel absorbent with high adsorption capacity for the purification of immunoglobulin G (IgG), continuous supermacroporous agarose beads embedded agarose–chitosan composite monolithic cryogels (agarose–chitosan cryogels) were prepared by cryo-copolymerization of agarose–chitosan blend solutions with glutaraldehyde as the crosslinker in the presence of agarose beads. After coupling 2-mercaptopyridine onto divinylsulfone-activated matrix, the obtained cryogels were used for the purification of IgG. The microstructure morphologies of the cryogels were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the obtained cryogels possess interconnected pores of 10–100 μm size. The specific surface area was 350 m2/g with maximum adsorption capacity of IgG 71.4 mg/g. The cryogels showed workable stability, and can be reused at least 15 times without significant loss in adsorption capacity. IgG purity after one-step purification from human plasma was monitored by electrophoresis and the average recovery was estimated to be 90%.