Q Beads 6FF
Q Beads 6FF are part of Ion exchange Resin which is widely used in biomedical and bioengineering for separation and purification of proteins, nucleic acids and polypeptides. The base matrix of Q Beads 6FF is 6% highly cross-linked agarose which gives the ion exchange resin chemical and physical stability. The characteristics such as capacity, elution behavior and pressure/flow rate are unaffected by the solutions commonly used in process chromatography and cleaning procedures, for details see table under each respective ion exchange resin. Fig.1 is the pressure/flow rate curves of the matrix.
Fig.1. A typical pressure/flow rate curve for Q Beads 6FF
Q Beads 6FF is a strong anion exchange resin. The ion exchange group is a quaternary amine group, see below.
-O-CH2CHOHCH2OCH2CHOHCH2N+(CH3)3
Table 4. Characteristics of Q Beads 6FF
Item | Description |
Matrix | Highly cross-linked 6% agarose |
Ion exchange type | Strong anion |
Ion exchange capacity | 0.18-0.25mmol Cl-/ml medium |
Particle Size | 45-165 μm |
Flow rate | 400-700 cm/h |
pH stability | 2-12 |
Storage buffer | 1×PBS containing 20% ethanol |
Storage | 4°C - 30°C |
2.1 Buffer Preparation
Water and chemicals used for buffer preparation should be high purity. It is recommended to filter the buffers by passing them through a 0.22μm or 0.45μm filter before use.
2.2 Sample Preparation
It is recommended to filter the sample solution by passing them through a 0.22μm or 0.45μm filter before use.
2.3 Packing Columns
2) Close the column outlet leaving the net covered with packing buffer.
3) Resuspend the beads stored in its container by shaking (avoid magnetic stirring the sedimented medium). Pouring the slurry down a glass rod held against the column wall will minimize the introduction of air bubbles.
If using a packing reservoir, immediately fill the remainder of the column and reservoir with packing buffer. Mount the adapter or lid of the packing reservoir and connect the column to a pump. Avoid trapping air bubbles under the adapter or in the inlet tubing.
4) Open the bottom outlet of the column and set the pump to run at the desired flow velocity. Ideally, the medium is packed at a constant pressure of approximately 3 bar (0.3 MPa). If the packing equipment does not include a pressure gauge, use a packing flow velocity of approximately 400 cm/h (10 cm bed height, 25°C, low viscosity buffer). If the recommended pressure or flow velocity can not be obtained, use the maximum flow velocity the of the pump. This should also give a well-packed bed. Do not exceed 75% of the packing flow velocity in subsequent chromatographic procedures.
5) When the bed has stabilized, mark the position of the bed surface. Close the bottom outlet and stop the pump.
If using a packing reservoir, disconnect the reservoir and fit the adapter to the column. If using the column, carefully place the top filter on top of the bed before fitting the adapter.
7) Connect the pump, open the bottom outlet and continue packing. The bed will be further compressed at this point and a space will be formed between the bed surface and the adapter.
8) Close the bottom outlet. Disconnect the column inlet and push the adapter a further 2-3mm. Connect the pump. The column is now ready to use.
2.4 Sample Purification
1) Fill the pump tubing with binding buffer. Connect the column to purification system, “drop to drop” to avoid introducing air into the column.
2) Wash the column with 10 column volumes of binding buffer.
3) Apply the sample, using a syringe fitted to the connector or by pumping it onto the column.
4) Wash with 5 to 10 column volumes of binding buffer or until no material appears in the effluent.
5) Elute with Elution Buffer using a stepwise or linear gradient. For one-step elution, 5 column volumes are usually enough. Other volumes may be required if the interaction is difficult to break. Linear gradient elution can be used to separate proteins of different binding strengths with a small gradient, such as 20 column volumes or more.
2.5 Analysis
Identify the fractions containing the target protein. using UV absorbance, SDS-PAGE, or western blot.
After each separation, elute any reversibly bound material either with a high ionic strength solution (e.g. 1M NaCl in buffer ) or by increasing pH. Regenerate the beads by washing with at least 5 bed volumes of buffer, or until the column effluent shows stable conductivity and pH values.
Cleaning-in-place (CIP) is a cleaning procedure that removes contaminants such as lipids, precipitates, or denatured proteins that may remain in the packed column after regeneration. Regular CIP also prevents the build-up of these contaminants in the media bed and helps to maintain the capacity, flow properties and general performance of the media.
A specific CIP protocol should be designed for each process according to the type of contaminants present. CIP cycle is generally recommended every 1-5 separation cycles.
Remove the ionically bound proteins
Wash with 3-4 column volumes of 2M NaCl. Contact time 10-15min.
Remove the precipitation or hydrophobically bound proteins or lipoproteins
Wash with at least 2 column volumes of 1M NaOH . Contact time 1-2h.
Remove lipids and very hydrophobic proteins
Wash with 2-4 column volumes of 0.5% non-ionic detergent, 70% ethanol or 30% isopropanol. Contact time 1-2h.
Problem | Probable Cause | Solution |
Back pressure is too high | Column is clogged | Cleaning in place(part 3). |
Sample solution contains precipitate | Filtering the sample solution by passing them through a 0.22μm or 0.45μm filter. | |
Eluate is not pure | The medium repeat too much times. | Cleaning in place(part 3). |
Wash is not enough. | Increase the volume of Wash Buffer. |
Product | Cat. No. | Size |
Q Beads 6FF | SI001025 SI001100 SI001500 SI00101L SI00110L | 25 ml 100 ml 500 ml 1 L 10 L |
SP Beads 6FF | SI003025 SI003100 SI003500 SI00301L SI00310L | 25 ml 100 ml 500 ml 1 L 10 L |
DEAE Beads 6FF | SI005025 SI005100 SI005500 SI00501L SI00510L | 25 ml 100 ml 500 ml 1 L 10 L |
CM Beads 6FF | SI007025 SI007100 SI007500 SI00701L SI00710L | 25 ml 100 ml 500 ml 1 L 10 L |
