Influence of the amination conditions on the textural properties and chromatographic behaviour of amino-functionalized glycidyl methacrylate-based particulate supports Original Research Article

Amino-functionalization of particulate macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate), obtained by “bulk” polymerization of a novel mixture of monomers, was carried out by reaction with concentrated ammonia, diethylamine (DEA) and the mixture DEA/THF (1:1). The influence of the amination conditions on the polymer mechanical and thermal stability, porous structure and degree of amination was analyzed; it was also found a narrow correlation between these properties and the chromatographic behaviour of the supports. The polymers functionalized with ammonia and DEA/THF were used for hen egg white proteins separation in column packed experiments; both resins carried out the separation of a mixture of lysozyme, ovalbumin and trypsin inhibitor. The DEA/THF functionalized resin showed better performance for egg white protein separation and very good retention capacity (38 mg ovalbumin/ml resin).