Crosslinked agarose encapsulated sorbents resistant to steam sterilization. Preparation and mechanical properties.

The application of agarose in hemoperfusion is hampered by the lack of a suitable sterilization method. A technique has been developed for the crosslinking of agarose encapsulated sorbents by the reaction with 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (DCP) under strong alkaline conditions. A twofold molar excess of DCP with respect to agarose and an equimolar amount of sodium hydroxide at a concentration of 0.3 mol/L with a reaction time of 1-4 h at 50 degrees C are found to be the optimal conditions. The compressive strength of crosslinked beads is increased by a factor of 4. Agarose capsules are found to degrade by the influence of gamma radiation, but are resistant to steam sterilization at 134 degrees C during at least 30 min when crosslinked.