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With an expanding life-science sector and growing production of recombinant proteins, the need for efficient downstream processing is increasing. Certain proteins are sensitive to the harsh conditions often used in protein purification, such as low pH, which can result in aggregation and denaturation. ZCa is a domain derived from Protein A that can be used for calcium-dependent purification of antibodies without the need for acidic pH. Based on this domain, the CaRA library has been constructed, which targets other therapeutic proteins than human antibodies. Four of the proteins isolated from the CaRA library, namely CaRA_scFv_1, CaRA_scFv_2, CaRA_G-CSF_1 and CaRA_G-CSF_3, are presented here for the purification of single chain variable fragment and granulate colony stimulating factor. The four proteins were produced as monomers, trimers and hexamers in an attempt to increase the binding capacity and attached to a matrix for purification using site-specific coupling. The successful binders CaRA_scFv_1 and CaRA_scFv_2 showed high affinity for their target protein scFv and were able to selectively capture an increased number of molecules through multimerization. Calcium-dependent binding was demonstrated by elution at neutral pH using the calcium chelator citrate, thus concluding that these multimerized CaRA variants can be used to considerably increase the efficiency in scFv purification while providing excellent purity and significantly reducing the risk of aggregation.

The metabolism of amino acids produces important chemical signaling molecules called neurotransmitters, which are responsible for carrying out important actions within the human body. There are approximately one hundred identified neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter study is important due to their involvement in biological, physiological, pharmacological, and pathological functions. Commonly employed methods for neurotransmitter detection are mainly based upon microdialysis. However, the methods suffer from disadvantages. Microdialysis fails to determine the absolute concentration of analytes and therefore requires it to be tied in with an analytical technique such as high performance liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis. Although high performance liquid chromatography is the most powerful analytical technique to date, it necessitates high maintenance and suffers from poor temporal resolution. While capillary electrophoresis affords more rapid separations than high performance liquid chromatography, it suffers from poor concentration limits of detection and requires large sample dilutions of highly conductive samples, such as biological fluids. Consequently, research is focused on detection of various amino acids and neurotransmitters employing novel analytical techniques along with traditional capillary electrophoresis. First, a method was developed using traditional capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection to detect two major excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and aspartate in planaria. The method was later applied to detect several biogenic amines using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser induced fluorescence detection in planaria to study the effect of feeding on the levels of biogenic amines within individual planaria homogenates. The concentration sensitivity issue of capillary electrophoresis led to the use of a new method for sensitive neurotransmitter measurements, gradient elution isotachophoresis. Gradient elution isotachophoresis is an efficient capillary-based enrichment and separation technique based on balancing hydrodynamic counter-flow against electrophoresis. Enrichment is achieved with the aid of high concentrations of leading electrolyte in the counter-flow solution that creates an ionic interface near the capillary inlet. Discrete electrolyte spacers or carrier ampholyte mixtures are used to separate analyte zones. The method was applied to the enrichment and separation of physiologically relevant concentrations of aspartate and glutamate labeled with dansyl chloride, phenyl isothiocyanate, or carboxyfluorescein, succinimidyl ester in artificial cerebrospinal fluid using ultraviolet absorbance detection. Finally, gradient elution isotachophoresis was combined with capillary zone electrophoresis to eliminate the use of spacers and provide rapid separations and enrichment. The technique was applied for the detection of biogenic amines in a glass microfluidic device. / Chemistry

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / In this study linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), a copolymer consisting of ethylene and 1-butene, was fractionated by the use of temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF). These fractions were then analyzed by crystallisation analysis fractionation, 13C NMR, high temperature size exclusion chromatography and DSC. The molecular distribution of the polymer was investigated. It was found that the polymer had a very broad distribution in its chemical composition. From these results it was also clear that the catalysts used for the polymerisation consist out of different active sites, producing chains with different molecular architecture. Subsequently the polymer was fractionated again by TREF and certain fractions were removed and the remaining material recombined. The removed fractions and recombined material were analyzed by 13C NMR, high temperature size exclusion chromatography, DSC and DMA. The results were compared with the bulk material and from this we could conclude the influence of the fractions removed on the material properties. This gave us more information on the influence of the chemical structure of the polymer on its mechanical properties. It was clear that by removing certain fractions with a certain chemical composition, the properties of the polymer are significantly influenced.

This thesis deals with the preparation of materials for use in separation science and their surface modification by grafting. The overall aim is the preparation of diverse materials by combination of a set of developed tools. Included in the thesis is the synthesis of monolithic media using non-traditional crosslinkers, the characterization of their porous properties and initial testing in reversed-phase chromatographic separation of proteins. The preparation of a library of short polymer chains, telomers, with varied functionality and their characterization is reported. Included in the characterization is the gradient polymer elution chromatography of selected telomers on a monolithic column in capillary format. The technique shows promise as a tool for monitoring of polymerization processes and for the separation of telomers with similar size but different functionalities or characteristics. Finally, the combination of polymeric support materials and the prepared telomer library is used in surface modification. Surface modification is performed onto activated surfaces via a “grafting to” approach. One example is shown, the surface modification of epoxy-modified divinylbenzene particles by attachment of telomer chains introducing ion-exchange functionality. The material is tested for the separation of proteins, in ion-exchange chromatography mode.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have extraordinary mechanical and thermal transport properties. They significantly improve the static and dynamic mechanical properties of acrylic orthopaedic bone cement when added to the dry cement polymer powder. Understanding the role MWNTs play on bone cement polymerization temperatures will lead to improved mechanical integrity of the cement-bone interface in joint arthroplasties. It was determined through thermal testing that MWNTs increased the polymerization time of the methylmethacrylate by 45-460% and decreased the peak exothermic temperature of bone cement with and without antibiotics. The flow of heat produced during polymerizing cement was reduced 25-85% with the addition of MWNTs to the cement powder. This decreases the probability of thermal necrosis and “hot” spots caused by high exothermic polymerization temperatures that can destroy the bone adjacent to the cement. These high temperatures also affect the potency and range of antibiotics used in arthroplasty. Isothermal and elution studies determined that MWNTs altered the heat flow and amount of antibiotic release from bone cement during polymerization. Antibiotic elution from bone cement containing MWNTs could match the elution seen in pure cement. The alteration of the flow of heat from bone cement leads to new options for heat-labile antibiotics in total joint arthroplasty.

The steviolglycosides are the natural, sweet substances from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. It affect human health positively and its sweetness is 300x stronger than the sweetness of sucrose. That's why it's used to sweetening the commercial products. Because of its potential properties it's good to have an appropriate method to isolate it. High performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC) is based on the separation of analyte between two immiscible phases with high pressure pump and appropriately chosen stationary phase in the column. Than the analytes come out from the column in different retention times. This master´s thesis follows up selection of the best HPLC system for isolation of the main steviolglycosides and its analysis in commercial products. In the theoretical part of the thesis is described the origin, basic characteristics, botanical description, cultivation and affect to the human health of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and its use in food industry. There are also concisely characterized the sweet substances contained in the plant, so called steviolglycosides. Than there are given the theoretical basics of high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC instrumentation and its specific applications at sleviolglycosides with the basic chromatographic parameters. The object of the first experimental part was to research the optimum conditions for time and separation effective chromatographic analysis and select the best chromatographic system for isolation of steviolglycosides. In the second experimental part, I have compared and defined the main steviolglycosides (stevioside, rebaudioside A) in nine selected products, commercially available in Czech republic, with the best chromatographic method. In these products was the contain of the stevioside or rebaudioside A confirmed or refused.

Les résidus forestiers et agricoles, également appelés résidus lignocellulosiques, constituent de par leur quantité et leur structure un potentiel unique pour la production d’énergie et de molécules d’origine renouvelable, afin de pallier à la raréfaction des hydrocarbures fossiles ainsi qu’aux problèmes environnementaux liés à l’utilisation de ceux-ci. Les biomasses lignocellulosiques sont constituées principalement de cellulose, hémicelluloses et lignines. Le fractionnement et la purification de ces trois constituants est nécessaire à leur valorisation comme produits de substitution des hydrocarbures fossiles. Cette étude s’est tout d’abord attachée à la description et la compréhension des fractionnements chimiques acides et alcalins de la lignocellulose et aux voies de purification qui leur sont actuellement associées. Les travaux expérimentaux ont été réalisés à partir de deux matières premières : la bagasse de canne à sucre et le tourteau de tournesol. Une caractérisation fine de ces matières premières ainsi que des extraits acides et alcalins obtenus à partir de ces matières a été réalisée. Les étapes de purification se sont focalisées sur l’extrait alcalin de bagasse obtenu en conditions douces. En effet, la bagasse de canne à sucre peut être considérée comme un bon modèle de biomasse lignocellulosique, et la purification d’extraits alcalins lignocellulosiques obtenus en conditions douces a été peu étudiée malgré l’intérêt de ce procédé de fractionnement. La filtration membranaire et la chromatographie d'élution sur résine échangeuse de cation ont été évaluées séparément puis en association, afin de séparer les cinq grandes familles de molécules constitutives de l’extrait : des oligomères de lignines, des oligomères de sucres, des monomères phénoliques, de l’acide acétique et des sels inorganiques. Des essais d’ultrafiltration sur plusieurs membranes en faisant varier divers paramètres de filtration ont permis de déterminer que les oligomères de lignine et de sucres, récupérés dans le rétentat, sont séparés des monomères phénoliques, de l’acide acétique et des sels inorganiques, récupérés dans le perméat. Une membrane en fibres creuses de 10 kDa en polysulfone a présenté les meilleures performances de séparation et a été retenue pour les essais suivant en mode concentration et diafiltration. Des essais de chromatographie d'élution avec de l’eau pour éluant en testant plusieurs résines cationiques fortement acides ont montré qu’une fraction très pure d’oligomères de lignines et de sucres peut être obtenue avec une résine de type macroporeuse, alors qu’une résine de type gel a permis la séparation de monomères phénoliques entre eux en fonction de la présence ou non dans leur structure d’une fonction carboxyle. A partir d’extrait alcalin de bagasse, un procédé intégré de purification a été développé combinant de la filtration membranaire puis de la chromatographie sur le perméat et de la précipitation par ajout d’acide sur le rétentat. Il en a résulté l'obtention de quatre fractions purifiées : les monomères phénoliques avec fonction carboxyle, les sels inorganiques et les monomères phénoliques sans fonction carboxyle, les oligomères de lignine, et les oligomères de sucres. / Agricultural and forestry residues, also known as lignocellulosic residues, have a unique potential based on their quantity and structure for the production of renewable energy and molecules, inorder to solve the issues raised by the increasing scarcity of fossil hydrocarbons and the environmental disorder caused by their use. Lignocellulosic biomasses are essentially made ofcellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Fractionation and purification of these three compounds are necessary for their valorization as substitutes of fossil hydrocarbons. In the first place, this studydescribed the chemical fractionation of lignocellulose under acidic and alkaline conditions, and their related purification pathways. The experimental work was carried out on two raw materials:sugarcane bagasse and sunflower oil cake. A thorough characterization of the raw materials as well as the acid and alkaline extracts produced from these materials was performed. The purification steps focused on the sugarcane bagasse mild alkaline extract. Indeed, sugarcane bagasse can be considered a model lignocellulosic biomass and the purification of lignocellulosicmild alkaline extract has not been widely studied despite the numerous assets of this fractionation process. Membrane filtration and elution chromatography on strong acid cationic exchange resins were assessed individually then combined, for the separation of the five main pools of molecules that constitute the extract: lignin oligomers, sugar oligomers, phenolic monomers, acetic acid and inorganic salts. Ultrafiltration trials run on several membranes under various filtration conditions showed that lignin and sugar oligomers, recovered in the retentate, were separated from phenolicmonomers, acetic acid and inorganic salts, recovered in the permeate. A hollow fiber membrane of 10 kDa in polysulfone exhibited the best separation performance and was selected for further trials in concentration and diafiltration modes. Elution chromatography tests using water as eluent and various strong acid cationic exchange resins resulted in the production of a very pure lignin andsugar oligomers fraction with a macroporous-type resin, whereas a gel-type resin led to the separation of phenolic monomers from each other depending on the presence or absence in their structure of a carboxyl group. From a sugarcane bagasse mild alkaline extract, an integrated purification process was developed combining membrane filtration then chromatography on the permeate and precipitation by acid addition on the retentate. It resulted in the production of four purified fractions: phenolic monomers with a carboxyl group, inorganic salts and phenolicmonomers without carboxyl group, lignin oligomers, and sugar oligomers

MSc (Chemistry) / Department of Chemistry

Dry eye syndrome has been associated with the lack of phospholipids in the tear film, leading to disruption of the tear film and subsequent irritation. Characterization of the transport and release of phospholipids from a silicone hydrogel contact lens is required to assess the possible use of these lenses for phospholipid delivery to increase patient comfort. This thesis examines the use of silicone hydrogel contact lenses as phospholipid delivery devices. Contact lenses of silicone hydrogel composition were loaded with varying amounts of radiolabeled 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) from a solution of n-propanol. These lenses were eluted at 35°C into artificial tear fluid (ATF) or ATFcontaining varying amounts of DMPC. The amount of DMPC loaded into a lens is a linear function of the time of exposure to the DMPC/propanol solution. The initial rate of elution into ATF appears to be diffusion controlled for at least 10 hrs and is proportional to the amount of DMPC loaded. The ease of loading and the controllable release of DMPC from silicone hydrogels present the possibility of using such lenses to counter eye discomfort caused by inherently low levels of phospholipid in tears. To reduce manufacturing steps and concern for residual n-propanol in the lens, it is beneficial to incorporate the DMPC into the monomer formulation and then photopolymerize the lens. Results showed that using this process, DMPC can be placed in the lens and then eluted at faster rates than when it was loaded from n-propanol.