Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation technique for separation and characterization of biopolymers and bioparticles

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is one of the most versatile separation techniques in the field of analytical separation sciences, capable of separating macromolecules in the range 10³–10¹⁵ g mol⁻¹ and/or particles with 1 nm–100 μm in diameter. The most universal and most frequently used FFF technique, flow FFF, includes three types of techniques, namely symmetrical flow FFF, hollow fiber flow FFF, and asymmetrical flow FFF which is most established variant among them. This review provides a brief look at the theoretical background of analyte retention and separation efficiency in FFF, followed by a comprehensive overview of the current status of asymmetrical flow FFF with selected applications in the field of biopolymers and bioparticles.     

Field-flow fractionation of proteins, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, and supramolecular assemblies

This review summarizes developments and applications of flow and thermal field-flow fractionation (FFF) in the areas of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies. In the past 10 years, the use of these FFF techniques has extended beyond determining diffusion coefficients, hydrodynamic diameters, and molecular weights of standards. Complex samples as diverse as polysaccharides, prion particles, and block copolymers have been characterized and processes such as aggregation, stability, and infectivity have been monitored. The open channel design used in FFF makes it a gentle separation technique for high- and ultrahigh-molecular weight macromolecules, aggregates, and self-assembled complexes. Coupling FFF with other techniques such as multiangle light scattering and MS provides additional invaluable information about conformation, branching, and identity.     

Separation of carbon nanotubes by frit inlet asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation

Flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF), a separation technique for particles and macromolecules, has been used to separate carbon nanotubes (CNT). The carbon nanotube ropes that were purified from a raw carbon nanotube mixture by acidic reflux followed by cross-flow filtration using a hollow fiber module were cut into shorter lengths by sonication under a concentrated acid mixture. The cut carbon nanotubes were separated by using a modified flow FFF channel system, frit inlet asymmetrical flow FFF (FI AFIFFF) channel, which was useful in the continuous flow operation during injection and separation. Carbon nanotubes, before and after the cutting process, were clearly distinguished by their retention profiles. The narrow volume fractions of CNT collected during flow FFF runs were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Experimentally, it was found that retention of carbon nanotubes in flow FFF was dependent on the use of surfactant for CNT dispersion and for the carrier solution in flow FFF. In this work, the use of flow FFF for the size differentiation of carbon nanotubes in the process of preparation or purification was demonstrated.     

Flow field-flow fractionation as an analytical technique to rapidly quantitate membrane fouling

The initial fouling behavior of a clean membrane surface was studied using flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF), an analytical technique typically used to separate and characterize macromolecules and particulates. This work represents the first time flow FFF has been used to quantitatively evaluate membrane performance. Flow FFF is an ideal tool for expeditiously studying sample–membrane interactions for the following reasons: membranes can be quickly installed into the flow FFF channel, each analysis requires only microgram amounts of sample, and sample–membrane interactions can be rapidly quantitated for different flowrates and solution compositions.Suwannee River humic acids were used as a probe to investigate the initial fouling of an XLE reverse osmosis membrane and an NF-200 nanofiltration membrane. Flow FFF was successfully used to quantitate the fouling of each membrane and to demonstrate that the majority of sample loss was due to irreversible adsorption. The fouling on both membranes was enhanced by increasing the flowrate perpendicular to the membrane surface and by adding calcium ions to the solution. The NF-200 membrane was more resistant than the XLE membrane to fouling in the presence of calcium ions, whereas, the fouling resistance of both membranes improved to similar levels with the addition of EDTA to a solution containing calcium ions.     

Advances in field-flow fractionation for the analysis of biomolecules: instrument design and hyphenation

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) separates analytes by use of an axial channel-flow and a cross-field. Its soft separation capability makes it an ideal tool for initial fractionation of complex mixtures, but large elution volumes and high flow rates have limited its applicability without significant user handling. Recent advances in instrumentation and miniaturization have successfully reduced channel size and elution speed, and thus the volume of each fraction, making it possible to conveniently couple FFF with orthogonal separation techniques for improved resolution. More detailed analysis can also be performed on the fractions generated by FFF by use of diverse analytical techniques, including MS, NMR, and even X-ray scattering. These developmental trends have given FFF more power in the analysis of different types of molecule, and will be the direction of choice for further advances in FFF technology.     

Advection‐dispersion in symmetric field‐flow fractionation channels

We model the evolution of the concentration field of macromolecules in a symmetric field‐flow fractionation (FFF) channel by a one‐dimensional advection–diffusion equation. The coefficients are precisely determined from the fluid dynamics. This model gives quantitative predictions of the time of elution of the molecules and the width in time of the concentration pulse. The model is rigorously supported by centre manifold theory. Errors of the derived model are quantified for improved predictions if necessary. The advection–diffusion equation is used to find that the optimal condition in a symmetric FFF for the separation of two species of molecules with similar diffusivities involves a high rate of cross‐flow. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Osmolarity effects on red blood cell elution in sedimentation field-flow fractionation.

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is an analytical technique particularly suitable for the separation, isolation, and characterization of macromolecules and micrometer- or submicrometer-sized particles. This chromatographic-like methodology can modulate the retention of micron-sized species according to an elution mode described to date as "steric hyperlayer". In such a model, differences in sample species size, density, or other physical parameters make particle selective elution possible depending on the configuration and the operating conditions of the FFF system. Elution characteristics of micron-sized particles of biological origin, such as cells, can be modified using media and carrier phases of different osmolarities. In these media, a cells average size, density, and shape are modified. Therefore, systematic studies of a single reference cell population, red blood cells (RBCs), are performed with 2 sedimentation FFF systems using either gravity (GrFFF) or a centrifugational field (SdFFF). However, in all cases, normal erythrocyte in isotonic suspension elutes as a single peak when fractionated in these systems. With carrier phases of different osmolarities, FFF elution characteristics of RBCs are modified. Retention modifications are qualitatively consistent with the "steric-hyperlayer" model. Such systematic studies confirm the key role of size, density, and shape in the elution mode of RBCs in sedimentation FFF for living, micronsized biological species. Using polymers as an analogy, the RBC population is described as highly "polydisperse". However, this definition must be reconsidered depending on the parameters under concern, leading to a matricial concept: multipolydispersity. It is observed that multipolydispersity modifications of a given RBC population are qualitatively correlated to the eluted sample band width.     

Analysis of complex polymers by multidetector field-flow fractionation

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a powerful alternative to column-based polymer fractionation methods such as size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) or interaction chromatography (IC). The most common polymer fractionation method, SEC, has its limitations when polymers with very high molar masses or complex structures must be analysed. Another limitation of all column-based methods is that the samples must be filtered before analysis and shear degradation of large macromolecules may be caused by the stationary phase and/or the column frits. Finally, the separation of very polar polymers may be a challenge because such polymers interact very strongly with the stationary phase, causing irreversible adsorption or other negative effects. This article reviews the latest developments in field-flow fractionation of complex polymers. It is demonstrated that some of the limitations of column-based chromatography can be overcome by FFF. When appropriate, results from column-based fractionations are compared with those from FFF fractionations to highlight the specific merits and challenges of each method. In addition to the fractionations themselves, various detector setups are discussed to show that different polymer distributions require different experimental procedures. Examples are given of the analysis of molar mass distribution, chemical composition, and microstructure. Advanced detector combinations are discussed, most prominently the very recently developed coupling to ¹H NMR. Finally, analysis of polymer nanocomposites by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4)–FTIR is presented.

Characterization of heavy-metal-containing seepage water colloids by flow FFF, ultrafiltration, ELISA and AAS

Heavy-metal-containing humic colloids from seepage water samples of three different municipal waste disposal plants were characterized in terms of molecular weight, hydrodynamic radius and heavy metal content. The size distribution of the colloids was determined with ultrafiltration (UF) and flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF). The humic colloids in the seepage water samples were characterized using an off-line coupling of flow FFF with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for humic substances. The heavy metals in the different size fractions obtained by UF and flow FFF were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The colloid size distributions obtained with UF showed a maximum of the distribution in the range 1–10 nm. Seepage water samples with high colloid concentrations had a second maximum in the range 0.1–1 m. The determination of colloid size with flow FFF gave different colloid size distributions for the three waste disposal seepage waters, whereas water from the oldest disposal plant showed the smallest colloid size with a maximum at 0.9 nm and water from the most recent plant showed the largest colloid size with a maximum at 1.3 nm. The determination of particle classes with regard to the chemical composition using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence detector (SEM/EDX) showed that the particles can be divided into five classes: silicates, insoluble salts, iron(hydr)oxides, carbonates and organic colloids (humic colloids). Flow FFF/ELISA off-line coupling showed that the most frequently occurring colloids of the seepage waters were humic colloids and investigation of the UF-size-fractions with AAS showed that up to 77% of the total mass of a heavy metal element can be bound to particles, especially to humic colloids. Additionally, the distributions of the heavy metals Fe, Cu and Zn were investigated with flow FFF/AAS off-line coupling. These results also showed that a substantial amount of these heavy metals (up to 46%) was bound to humic colloids.     

Size Characterization of Pharmaceutical Microspheres by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

Flow field flow fractionation (FIFFF), one of the subtechniques in FFF family, is a separation technique that can be applied for the separation and characterization of particulate materials, biological macromolecules, and water soluble polymers. Separation in FIFFF is carried out in an empty channel by the interaction of applied field from an external source with flow. Retention of particles or macromolecules in FIFFF is governed by the relative protrusion of sample materials to the differential flow streamlines. Thus in FIFFF, particle size can be readily calculated from the experimental fractogram by theory or calibration.     

Separation and characterization of nanoparticles in complex food and environmental samples by field-flow fractionation

The thorough analysis of natural nanoparticles (NPs) and engineered NPs involves the sequence of detection, identification, quantification and, if possible, detailed characterization. In a complex or heterogeneous sample, each step of this sequence is an individual challenge, and, given suitable sample preparation, field-flow fractionation (FFF) is one of the most promising techniques to achieve relevant characterization.The objective of this review is to present the current status of FFF as an analytical separation technique for the study of NPs in complex food and environmental samples. FFF has been applied for separation of various types of NP (e.g., organic macromolecules, and carbonaceous or inorganic NPs) in different types of media (e.g., natural waters, soil extracts or food samples).FFF can be coupled to different types of detectors that offer additional information and specificity, and the determination of size-dependent properties typically inaccessible to other techniques. The separation conditions need to be carefully adapted to account for specific particle properties, so quantitative analysis of heterogeneous or complex samples is difficult as soon as matrix constituents in the samples require contradictory separation conditions. The potential of FFF analysis should always be evaluated bearing in mind the impact of the necessary sample preparation, the information that can be retrieved from the chosen detection systems and the influence of the chosen separation conditions on all types of NP in the sample. A holistic methodological approach is preferable to a technique-focused one.     

Determination of Na+ binding parameters by relaxation analysis of selected 23Na NMR coherences: RNA, BSA and SDS

Nuclear magnetic resonance provides several unique means of investigating the interactions between different inorganic ions and various macromolecules. (23)Na is a quadrupolar nucleus, meaning that relaxation analysis of the various coherences allows the measurement of its binding to biological macromolecules. In this study, we analyzed the quadrupolar relaxation of (23)Na(+) longitudinal magnetization and single- and triple-quantum coherences in aqueous systems containing RNA, bovine serum albumin and sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. The effectiveness of the James-Noggle method for determining binding constants was evaluated in these systems, and also the applicability of various (23)Na coherences in providing information on the extent and affinity of binding to the three different classes of biomolecules.     

Sedimentation field-flow-fractionation: emergence of a new cell separation methodology

Field flow fractionation (FFF) methods were conceptualised in the late 1960s by J.C Giddings. These techniques are particularly suited for the retention and separation of micron and sub-micron sized particles. Systematic technological development as well as methodological procedures were established to achieve separations over the last 30 years. The elution mechanism of micron sized species is now known as 'steric/hyperlayer'. Cells are micron sized particles of life science interest, in particular those living in suspension. The separation of cells according to differences in their biophysical characteristics is therefore possible using the FFF principle. In the first part of this report, characteristics of classical cell separation methodologies are recounted as well as the specific features of FFF. In the second part, a review of cell separations or purifications obtained with sedimentation FFF techniques is given and FFF trends in cell separation is developed.     

Smart self-assembled hybrid hydrogel biomaterials

Hybrid biomaterials are systems created from components of at least two distinct classes of molecules, for example, synthetic macromolecules and proteins or peptide domains. The synergistic combination of two types of structures may produce new materials that possess unprecedented levels of structural organization and novel properties. This Review focuses on biorecognition-driven self-assembly of hybrid macromolecules into functional hydrogel biomaterials. First, basic rules that govern the secondary structure of peptides are discussed, and then approaches to the specific design of hybrid systems with tailor-made properties are evaluated, followed by a discussion on the similarity of design principles of biomaterials and macromolecular therapeutics. Finally, the future of the field is briefly outlined.     

Field-flow fractionation in bioanalysis: A review of recent trends

Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a mature technique in bioanalysis, and the number of applications to proteins and protein complexes, viruses, derivatized nano- and micronsized beads, sub-cellular units, and whole cell separation is constantly increasing. This can be ascribed to the non-invasivity of FFF when directly applied to biosamples. FFF is carried out in an open-channel structure by a flow stream of a mobile phase of any composition, and it is solely based on the interaction of the analytes with a perpendicularly applied field. For these reasons, fractionation is developed without surface interaction of the analyte with packing or gel media and without using degrading mobile phases. The fractionation device can be also easily sterilized, and analytes can be maintained under a bio-friendly environment. This allows to maintain native conditions of the sample in solution.In this review, FFF principles are briefly described, and some pioneering developments and applications in the bioanalytical field are tabled before detailed report of most recent FFF applications obtained also with the hyphenation of FFF with highly specific, sensitive characterization methods. Special focus is finally given to the emerging use of FFF as a pre-analytical step for mass-based identification and characterization of proteins and protein complexes in proteomics.     

Improved accuracy in the determination of field-flow fractionation elution volumes.

Conventional operation of field-flow fractionation (FFF) systems involves carrying out the analysis at a constant flow of carrier; the flow is temporarily interrupted after injection of a sample in order to permit its equilibration under the applied field. Retention is calculated as the ratio of elution times for a non-retained species and the sample of interest, respectively. Such time-based retentions are only valid if the flow-rate is precisely known at all times during the run. The peristaltic pumps often used with FFF equipment are shown to have an output which varies unpredictably in time. Furthermore, initiation of flow after relaxation is shown to result in significant periods of transient behaviour while the system adjusts to the operating pressure. These and other variations in flow-rate can be eliminated as sources of error by basing the retention measurement on effluent weight, rather than on time. For this purpose, an electronic balance is interfaced with the system's computer, so that detector response/effluent weight data pairs are continuously monitored during the course of the FFF analysis.     

Chains are more flexible under tension

The mechanical response of networks, gels, and brush layers is a manifestation of the elastic properties of the individual macromolecules. Furthermore, the elastic response of macromolecules to an applied force is the foundation of the single-molecule force spectroscopy techniques. The two main classes of models describing chain elasticity include the worm-like and freely-jointed chain models. The selection between these two classes of models is based on the assumptions about chain flexibility. In many experimental situations the choice is not clear and a model describing the crossover between these two limiting classes is therefore in high demand. We are proposing a unified chain deformation model which describes the force-deformation curve in terms of the chain bending constant K and bond length b. This model demonstrates that the worm-like and freely-jointed chain models correspond to two different regimes of polymer deformation and the crossover between these two regimes depends on the chain bending rigidity and the magnitude of the applied force. Polymer chains with bending constant K>1 behave as a worm-like chain under tension in the interval of the applied forces f ≤ Kk(B)T/b and as a freely-jointed chain for f ≥ Kk(B)T/b (k(B) is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature). The proposed crossover expression for chain deformation is in excellent agreement with the results of the molecular dynamics simulations of chain deformation and single-molecule deformation experiments of biological and synthetic macromolecules.     

What Is Chromatography? Reply to a Critical Paper by V.A. Davankov

Based on well-known logical concepts, a polysemic definition of the notion of chromatographygiven in a compendium of scientific terminology of the Russian Academy of Sciences is considered to be incorrect. The interpretation of column walls as a stationary phase in field-flow fractionation (FFF), suggested by Professor V.A. Davankov, seems logically unfounded. This is because column walls in FFF and a stationary phase in traditional versions of chromatography are different in all principal characteristics (functions, forms, and operands). Thus, the opinion of the author of the FFF method, J.C. Giddings, who considered FFF as a version of one-phase chromatography, should not be considered as erroneous, as Professor Davankov believes.Precise logical definitions of concepts are a fundamental prerequisite to true knowledge.Socrates     

Rapid breakthrough measurement of void volume for field-flow fractionation channels.

A peak breakthrough technique is described and evaluated for measuring the void volume of field-flow fractionation (FFF) channels, particularly those used for flow FFF. This technique uses a high-molecular-mass macromolecular or particulate probe that can be displaced rapidly by flow through the FFF channel with minimal transverse diffusion. The particles that emerge first are those carried through the entire length near the channel centerline at the apex of the parabolic flow profile. These particles generate a sharp breakthrough profile. The measured breakthrough time is two thirds of the void time, thus making it possible to calculate both the void time and the associated void volume. This method, although applicable to all FFF channels (and capable of extension to open tubes), is particularly useful for flow FFF because conventional low-molecular-mass void probes can diffuse into the permeable walls and thus distort void measurements. The theoretical basis of the breakthrough technique and an explanation for the sharpness of the breakthrough front are given. A method for compensating for deviations from perfect sharpness is developed in which the breakthrough time is identified with the time needed to reach 85-88% of the breakthrough peak maximum. Preliminary experimental results are shown using various protein probes in four different FFF channel systems.     

Trends in Polymer and Particle Characterization by Microfluidic Field-Flow Fractionation Methods: Science or Business?

More than 45 years have passed since the invention of field-flow fractionation (FFF). During this time, several methods and techniques, differing mainly by the nature of the applied field, have been proposed and experimentally implemented. However, only few of them are currently in practical laboratory use. Recent trends of miniaturization of all separation techniques have also been followed in the development of FFF apparatus. The aim of this work is to give an overview of the advances that are important in the practical use of microfluidic FFF techniques. Another aim is a critical evaluation of the crucial characteristics of the most widespread FFF techniques performed in standard-size channels.