Adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin in anion exchange membrane chromatography versus the contacting mode and temperature

Adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin to strong anion exchange membranes was investigated using three different contacting modes (batch adsorption, radial and tangential flow), and by equilibrium adsorption isotherm, as a function of temperature. The maximum binding capacity (q(max)) was: (1) higher at lower temperature for the isotherm where q(max) = 1.08 mg/cm(2) at 10 degrees C versus q(max) = 0.82 mg/cm(2) at 50 degrees C, (2) independent of temperature for batch adsorption where the average q(max) = 0.82 mg/cm(2), (3) higher at lower temperature for radial flow where q(max) = 0.87 mg/cm(2) at 15 degrees C versus q(max) = 038 mg/cm(2) at 50 degrees C. For tangential flow at 10 degrees C, q(max) = 0.65 mg/cm(2). Differences in q(max) between the three contacting modes were minor compared to the differences in the mass transfer coefficients that were tenfold higher for tangential flow than for batch adsorption. This was attributed to convective flow in the membrane pores closest to the flow channel, and diffusive mass transfer in the membrane pores farthest from the flow channel. The present work is the first report of mass transfer coefficients in tangential flow adsorbers, and the first report on the effect of temperature on the binding capacity of beta-lactoglobulin to adsorptive membranes. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.