Preparation and preliminary evaluation of macroporous magnetic agarose particles for bioseparation

Macroporous magnetic agarose particles (MMAPs) were prepared with calcium carbonate as the porogent by the water-in-oil suspension thermal regeneration method. MMAPs with good sphericity and appropriate particle size were obtained. The physical properties of the beads were determined and it was found that the water content (92.1%), porosity (94.4%) and mean pore diameter (120.1 nm) of the MMAPs were higher than those for the normal magnetic particles, indicating successful generation of macropores after calcium carbonate addition. Compared with normal magnetic particles, the mass transfer of biomolecules in MMAPs was remarkably enhanced. Finally, MMAPs were modified with 5-amino-benzimidazol (ABI) ligand and the adsorption capacity of IgG reached 153 mg/mL, higher than that of the normal magnetic particles (126 mg/mL). Moreover, adsorption behavior of MMAPs to IgG was little changed after twenty-five recycled use. Hence, MMAPs prepared herein showed great potential for bioseparation.