高效液相色谱表征高聚物*

最常用的测试高聚物的分子量和分子量分布的体积排除色谱(SEC)是高效液相色谱 (HPLC)的一个重要分支,HPLC的另一个重要分支是相互作用液相色谱, 它是20世纪90年代开始用于高分子分离和表征的研究领域。相互作用液相色谱可以根据高分子的化学结构（如共混物组成、共聚物组成、端基）来分离,它比SEC 有更高的分离效率。本文介绍了高聚物液相色谱的分离模式,并就高聚物体积排除色谱、相互作用液相色谱、临界液相色谱和全二维液相色谱用于分离和表征高聚物的研究进展进行了较系统的综述,并对该技术目前存在的问题和今后可能的发展前景进行了探讨。     

Size-exclusion chromatography—from high-performance to ultra-performance

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) enables measurement of the average molecular weights and molecular-weight distributions of polymers. Because these characteristics may, in turn, be correlated with important performance characteristics of plastics, SEC is an essential analytical technique for characterization of macromolecules. Although SEC is one of the oldest instrumental chromatographic techniques, it is still under continuous development, as a result of the great demand for increased resolution and faster analysis in SEC. Ultra-high-pressure size-exclusion chromatography (UHPSEC) was recently introduced to satisfy the growing demands of analytical chemists. Using instrumentation capable of generating very high pressures and columns packed with small particles, this technique enables greater separation efficiency and faster analysis than are achieved with conventional SEC. UHPSEC is especially advantageous for high-resolution analysis of oligomers, for very rapid polymer separations, and as a second dimension in comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography of polymers. In this paper we discuss the benefits of UHPSEC for separation of macromolecules, with examples from the literature.     

Estimation of width of narrow molecular-weight distributions by size-exclusion chromatography with concentration and light scattering detection

A new method for the estimation of the weight-to-number-average molecular-weight ratio, Mw/Mn of polymers with a narrow molecular-weight distribution, approximated by log-normal distribution, is proposed using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with concentration and light-scattering detectors. From experimental data, the Mw/Mn ratios are calculated by two procedures: one using the concentration and light-scattering elution curve for the polymer measured, and the other based on the concentration elution curve and calibration line for a wide range of molecular masses. An iteration method has been developed making the two Mw/Mn ratios converge. The method was applied to a series of narrow molecular-weight distribution polystyrene standards.     

Analysis of chitosan by gel permeation chromatography

The effect of γ-radiation on the average molecular weight and the molecular-weight distribution of chitosan has been studied. The analysis of samples by gel permeation chromatography/size exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC) has shown that the amount of high-molecular-weight fractions decreases and the amount of fractions containing low-molecular-weight chitosans (<50 kDa) increases with an increase in the radiation dose. The radiation-chemical yield of degradation is 11.0 particle/100 eV.     

Mathematical discretization of size-exclusion chromatograms applied to commercial corn maltodextrins

Discretization of a size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) chromatogram is shown here to be an important calculation for characterizing the distribution of a polydisperse polymer, especially when the polydispersity is large. Commercial poly-glucose maltodextrins are known to have such a polydispersity. A mathematical discretization method with Gaussian peaks centered on each individual degree of polymerization is proposed and is performed on the entire SEC chromatogram for three different grades of corn maltodextrins. Because SEC and high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) are based on different separation mechanisms, they can be considered orthogonal techniques, and HPAEC-PAD was therefore used to validate the SEC discretization procedure. Because this validation proved satisfactory for all commercially available oligomers, the discretization is extended to all of their SEC chromatograms. Comparing the number-average molar weight and the weight-average molar weight before and after the mathematical discretization verifies that such a mathematical treatment does not denaturate the chromatogram. This approach tentatively leads to a more exhaustive characterization of a broadly polydisperse sample, such as maltodextrins, than was previously available, as it (i) gets rid of the apparent, chemically irrelevant, continuous molar weight distribution obtained by raw SEC and (ii) addresses the current detection and quantitation limits of the HPAEC-PAD technique without any sample treatment.     

LC-MS of enzymatic peptic haemoglobin hydrolysate produced at the pilot-plant level

Summary A method is described for the ready identification of any peptide isolated from a complex peptic haemoglobin hydrolysate produced on the pilot-plant scale. A combination of size exclusion and reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography have proved to be a useful strategy for fractionation of such a mixture. This technique enabled pure peptides from the total hydrolysate to be obtained. Amino acid analysis and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry provided the accurate composition and molecular weight of any isolated peptide. Molecular weights are compared with those deduced from size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and the usefulness of SEC is discussed. The procedure described in this study will be useful for acquiring a better knowledge of such an hydrolysate and could be extended to other crude protein digests.Presented in part at the 8th International Biotechnology Symposium, July 17–22, 1988, Paris, France.     

Kinetic Spectroelectrochemical Assay for Uric Acid in Human Urine

A spectroelectrochemical (SEC) assay for uric acid in human urine has been developed that is essentially reagent-free and involves relatively short analysis times of ∼12 min per specimen using a single-point standard addition approach. The SEC method was demonstrated to be selective for uric acid in human urine, avoiding interference through both the usual control parameters (electrolysis potential and measurement wavelength) and the relatively slow kinetics of a post-electrolysis reaction involving the oxidation product. Results from the SEC analysis of a split set of human urine specimens were well correlated to those obtained using a standard high-performance liquid chromatography method, suggesting the feasibility of clinical applications.     

A Method of Correcting for Flow-Rate Fluctuations in Size Exclusion Chromatography Calculations: Applications to Methylene Chloride/Hexafluoroisopropanol Solvent System

Abstract

The mixture of methylene chloride/hexafluoroisopropanol (70/30, v/v) is an excellent polyester solvent, but its low boiling point causes unstable flow when it is used for size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In high-performance SEC experiments, retention time is normally used to measure elution volume; however, unstable flow makes it difficult to calibrate an SEC column set or calculate molecular weight parameters from a chromatogram. We have devised a simple and inexpensive method to compensate for the effect of unstable flow in SEC calculations. A calibration marker injected along with each sample is used to indicate flow-rate variations. The ratio of the sample retention time to the marker retention time is invariant to flow-rate changes and is used in place of retention time as a measure of elution volume in the universal calibration technique. Calibrating a column set and analyzing chromatograms by this method result in a large improvement in the accuracy and precision of calculated molecular weight parameters.     

Purification and identification of PEGlated hemoglobin, a potential blood substitute, by chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Summary Bovine hemoglobin (Hb) has been chemically modified, by reaction of its lysine residues with the active ester of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG,M _w=5000), to produce a potential blood substitute for human therapy. Covalent attachment of PEG chain to the protein produced a heterogeneous mixture of Hb from the mixture. This paper describes the use of cation-exchange chromatography (IEC), in flow-through mode, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) for purification of the PEG-Hb mixture. The highly modified Hb flowed through the IEC column in the loading buffer without adsorption by the chromatographic medium. SEC was then used for further purification. These two steps were suitable for pilot-scale preparation or for analytical chromatography. The purified product was assessed by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), which was also used to optimize the chromatographic parameters.     

Toward chromatographic analysis of interacting protein networks

Protein complexes, collectively referred to as the cellular interactome, appear to play a major role in cellular regulation. At present it is thought that the interactome could be composed of hundreds of protein assemblies. The objective of the work described here was to examine the prospect that chromatographic methods widely used in the preparative isolation of native proteins could be incorporated into global proteomics methods in such a way that the primary structure of protein complexes of sufficient stability to survive chromatography could be recognized along with their participation in protein complexes. Because wide differences in sizes are a unique feature of protein complexes, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was incorporated into all the fractionation strategies examined. Anion-exchange chromatography (AEC) and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography (HIC) were also examined because of the broad utility that these methods have shown in the preparation of proteins with native structure. Slightly more than a third of all proteins identified in yeast lysates were found to elute from SEC, AEC, and HIC columns with an apparent molecular weight much higher than that predicted from their parent gene. These results were interpreted to mean that these proteins were migrating through columns as components of protein complexes. Based on studies with multidimensional SEC-->RPLC (reversed-phase liquid chromatography), AEC-->SEC, and HIC-->SEC systems, it was concluded that recognition of proteins in complexes could be easily incorporated into multidimensional chromatographic methods for global proteomics when at least one of the fractionation dimensions included SEC of native proteins.     

Improved performance of protein separation by continuous annular chromatography in the size-exclusion mode.

In size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), proteins and peptides are separated according to their molecular size in solution. SEC is especially useful as an effective fractionation step to separate a vast amount of impurities from the components of interest and/or as final step for the separation of purified proteins from their aggregates, in a so-called polishing step. However, the throughput in SEC is low compared to other chromatographic processes as good resolution can be achieved only with a limited feed volume (i.e., maximal approximately 5% of the column volume can be loaded). This limitation opposed widespread application of conventional SEC in industry despite its excellent separation potential. Therefore a continuous separation process (namely preparative continuous annular chromatography) was developed and compared to a conventional SEC system both using Superdex 200 prep grade as sorbent. An immunoglobulin G sample with a high content of aggregates was chosen as a model protein solution. The influence of the feed flow-rate, eluent flow-rate and rotation rate on the separation efficiency was investigated. The height equivalent to a theoretical plate was lower for preparative continuous annular chromatography which could be explained by reduced extra column band broadening. The packing quality was proved to be identical for both systems. The productivity of conventional batch SEC was lower compared to continuous SEC, consequently buffer consumption was higher in batch mode.     

Determination of pituitary and recombinant human growth hormone molecular weights by modern high-performance liquid chromatography with low angle laser light scattering detection

The determination of molecular weight for pituitary and recombinant human growth hormone (p-hGH/Crescormon and r-hGH/Protropin) has been performed. This has involved on-line coupling of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gradient elution, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with low-angle laser light scattering (LALLS) detection. A 5-microns, 300 A, Delta-bond octyl column was used. Traditional specific refractive index increment (dn/dc) and refractive index (n) measurements have been performed in order to derive absolute weight-average molecular weight (Mw) information for p-hGH and r-hGH. Known concentrations of each protein have been separated using reversed-phase gradients utilizing acetonitrile with on-line LALLS determination of excess Rayleigh scattering factors. Accurate Mw data has been obtained for both proteins under conventional RP-HPLC gradient elution conditions. SEC data of both hGHs were found to be concentration, mobile phase, and column dependent for the particular analyses. Both medium- and high-resolution SEC-LALLS studies were performed, and all of these determinations further confirmed our RP-HPLC results. On-line LALLs provides certain advantages in identifying aggregates that may be present, even in medium-resolution SEC, where incomplete resolution occurs. The on-line coupling of modern RP-HPLC for biopolymers with LALLS detection represents a major step forward in the ability of bioanalytical chemists to determine the nature (monomer versus higher-order aggregate) of such materials. Other classes of biopolymers should prove suitable for studies with the same RP-HPLC-LALLS-UV approaches.     

Use of polymeric reversed-phase columns for the characterization of polypeptides extracted from human pancreata. I. Effect of the mobile phase

The high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) behaviour of two different styrene-divinyl-benzene-based reversed-phase (RP) columns was evaluated using crude acetic acid extracts from normal and diabetic human pancreata as samples. Acetic acid gradients in water and acetonitrile gradients in triethylammonium phosphate (TEAP) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) were used as mobile phases, and comparisons were made with a silica-based C4 column. When two different polymeric RP columns were eluted with acetic acid gradients in water, surprisingly similar HPLC profiles of the pancreatic extracts were obtained. Elution of the polymer-based columns with acetonitrile gradients in TFA or TEAP resulted in changes in the polypeptide selectivity of these columns, in parallel with that of a silica-based C4 column eluted under similar conditions, indicating the general usability of polymeric columns for RP-HPLC of peptides and proteins. The pronounced difference in composition between normal and diabetic samples, which also was demonstrated after size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) on a silica-based and an agarose-based high-performance SEC column, was found to be related to the different ischaemia times for the two types of pancreata.     

Deformation and degradation of polymers in ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography

Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using columns packed with sub-2 μm particles has great potential for separations of many types of complex samples, including polymers. However, the application of UHPLC for the analysis of polymers meets some fundamental obstacles. Small particles and narrow bore tubing in combination with high pressures generate significant shear and extensional forces in UHPLC systems, which may affect polymer chains. At high stress conditions flexible macromolecules may become extended and eventually the chemical bonds in the molecules can break. Deformation and degradation of macromolecules will affect the peak retention and the peak shape in the chromatogram, which may cause errors in the obtained results (e.g. the calculated molecular-weight distributions). In the present work we explored the limitations of UHPLC for the analysis of polymers. Degradation and deformation of macromolecules were studied by collecting and re-injecting polymer peaks and by off-line two-dimensional liquid chromatography. Polystyrene standards with molecular weight of 4 MDa and larger were found to degrade at UHPLC conditions. However, for most polymers degradation could be avoided by using low linear velocities. No degradation of 3-MDa PS (and smaller) was observed at linear velocities up to 7 mm/s. The column frits were implicated as the main sources of polymer degradation. The extent of degradation was found to depend on the type of the column and on the column history. At high flow rates degradation was observed without a column being installed. We demonstrated that polymer deformation preceded degradation. Stretched polymers eluted from the column in slalom chromatography mode (elution order opposite to that in SEC or HDC). Under certain conditions we observed co-elution of large and small PS molecules though a convolution of slalom chromatography and hydrodynamic chromatography.     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic, size exclusion chromatographic and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic studies of glycinin: evidence for molecular species and their association-dissociation

Isolation and purification of glycinin and its molecular species from an Indian soybean variety (JS-335) was achieved using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Glycinin was found to have two molecular species (glycinin I and II), and only glycinin I underwent reversible dissociation-association system into alpha and beta species. Glycinin I and II were not found to constitute a dissociation-association system. Glycinin II also did not dissociate under varying conditions of time, pH and ionic strength of buffer. Various species so dissociated were isolated, purified and characterized.     

Optimization of conditions for high-performance size-exclusion chromatography of different soil humic acids.

A method of high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) for a wide variety of soil humic acids (HAs) was developed. Two types of soil HAs (Cambisol and Andosol HAs), which have substantially different chemical properties, showed different effects of salt and organic solvent concentrations in the eluent on chromatograms. A Shodex OHpak SB-805 HQ column with 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing 25% of acetonitrile (v/v) was found to be applicable for different HAs, and showed high reproducibility and recovery (87.0 - 94.5%). The Cambisol HA was fractionated into five fractions using an ultrafiltration with different molecular-weight cut-offs. The order of the molecular weights of the five fractions calculated from the HPSEC analysis corresponded to that defined by ultrafiltration. This supported the reliability of the method.     

Size Exclusion Chromatography of Associating Systems. I. The Theoretical Model

Abstract

Block copolymers in dilute solutions in selective solvents form micelles via closed association which is characterized by equilibrium between unimer and n-mer. A simple theoretical model has been proposed describing the behavior of such a system in the size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Chromatograms have been calculated varying association number and relative rates of association and dissociation. The results are compared with those of Coll's theory for SEC of surfactants and Gilbert's theory of associating systems.     

Fast and efficient size-based separations of polymers using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography

Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has great potential for the separations of both small molecules and polymers. However, the implementation of UHPLC for the analysis of macromolecules invokes several problems. First, to provide information on the molecular-weight distribution of a polymer, size-exclusion (SEC) columns with specific pore sizes are needed. Development of packing materials with large pore diameters and pore volumes which are mechanically stable at ultra-high-pressures is a technological challenge. Additionally, narrow-bore columns are typically used in UHPLC to minimize the problem of heat dissipation. Such columns pose stringent requirements on the extra-column dispersion, especially for large (slowly diffusing) molecules. Finally, UHPLC conditions generate high shear rates, which may affect polymer chains. The possibilities and limitations of UHPLC for size-based separations of polymers are addressed in the present study. We demonstrate the feasibility of conducting efficient and very fast size-based separations of polymers using conventional and wide-bore (4.6 mm I.D.) UHPLC columns. The wider columns allow minimization of the extra-column contribution to the observed peak widths down to an insignificant level. Reliable SEC separations of polymers with molecular weights up to ca. 50 kDa are achieved within less than 1 min at pressures of about 66 MPa. Due to the small particles used in UHPLC it is possible to separate high-molecular-weight polymers (50 kDa ≤ M(r) ≤ 1-3 MDa, upper limit depends on the flow rate) in the hydrodynamic-chromatography (HDC) mode. Very fast and efficient HDC separations are presented. For very large polymer molecules (typically larger than several MDa, depending on the flow rate) two chromatographic peaks are observed. This is attributed to the onset of molecular deformation at high shear rates and the simultaneous actions of hydrodynamic and slalom chromatography.     

Characterization of copolymers by high performance liquid chromatography

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is capable of evaluating the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of a sample. Information about the chemical composition distribution can be gained by gradient high performance liquid chromatography (gradient HPLC), where a poor starting eluent is, in the course of the separation, substituted by another one of increasing elution strength. Both normal-phase and reversed-phase systems can be employed. The combination of SEC and gradient HPLC enables chromatographic cross-fractionation to be performed efficiently.