Microcalorimetric study of adsorption of glycomacropeptide on anion-exchange chromatography adsorbent

The adsorption of glycomacropeptide (GMP) from cheese whey on an anion-exchange adsorbent was investigated using isothermal titration microcalorimetry to measure thermodynamic information regarding such processes. Isotherms data were measured at temperatures of 25 and 45 °C, pH 8.2 and various ionic strengths (0–0.08 mol L−1 NaCl). The equilibrium data were fit using the Langmuir model and the process was observed to be reversible. Temperature was observed to positively affect the interaction of the protein and adsorbent. Microcalorimetric studies indicated endothermic adsorption enthalpy in all cases, except at 45 °C and 0.0 mol L−1 NaCl. The adsorption process was observed to be entropically driven at all conditions studied. It was concluded that the increase in entropy, attributed to the release of hydration waters as well as bounded ions from the adsorbent and protein surface due to interactions of the protein and adsorbent, was a major driving force for the adsorption of GMP on the anion-exchange adsorbent. These results could allow for design of more effective ion-exchange separation processes for proteins.