Thiophilic adsorption chromatography: the separation of serum proteins.

Human serum proteins were separated on a matrix obtained by reaction of beta-mercaptoethanol with divinyl sulfone-activated agarose (the so-called T-gel). Binding of almost all serum proteins was observed at high concentrations of ammonium sulfate. Elution was achieved by gradually lowering the concentration of salt in the washing buffer. Fractions obtained during elution were analyzed by fused rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Proteins were recovered in high yields and with an excellent separation in this one-step procedure ("Thiophilic adsorption chromatography"). A rapid and straightforward procedure giving essentially pure immunoglobulins from crude rabbit serum with at least 80% yield by the T-gel is also presented.