Cation Exchange Column

• For Initial Capture Steps

  

  Use these cartridges for demanding ion exchange chromatography applications. Luer fittings for quick column connection. Use with medium- or high-pressure systems.

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• For Final Polishing Steps

  

  Use these cation exchange columns for reproducible, high-resolution separations in as little as 20 minutes. Use with medium- or high-pressure systems.

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• For Final Polishing Steps

  

  These continuous-bed matrix cation exchange columns allow high resolution at fast flow rates. Save money with economical replaceable media bed inserts. Use with medium- or high-pressure systems.

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Cation Exchange Chromatography Principles

Ion exchange chromatography separates ions and molecules based on their net overall surface charge. The media in a cation exchange column is negatively charged, binding positively charged molecules, and therefore cations are used for elution of the bound molecules. The composition, structure, and porosity of each packing type determines the size range for effective separations as well as the flow rates and pressures that can be used.

Cation exchange chromatography column packing types are classified by the strength of the functional group on the media. Strong cation exchange columns have the functional group sulfonic acid, which is designated S. Weak cation exchange columns usually have the functional group carboxymethyl and are designated CM. Resins with other functional groups such as weak carboxylic acids are also available.

When using a strong cation exchanger, the pH of the buffer (mobile phase) has little impact on the charge of the column but does affect the charges of the components in the sample. This property can be used to optimize the charge of the target(s) for strong retention on the column while providing little or no retention of most unwanted contaminants. This technique is called positive mode cation exchange chromatography. When the pH of the buffer is adjusted for strong retention of contaminants with minimal or no retention of the targets(s), this is referred to as negative mode cation exchange chromatography.

Weak cation exchange columns have a narrower pH operating range than strong cation exchange columns. However, working at this narrow pH range is generally less denaturing for most proteins. Thus, a weak cation exchange column is frequently the best choice for peptides and proteins when retaining function is of key importance.

The most common elution salts for cation exchange column chromatography are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and NH⁴⁺, in order of effectiveness of displacement. The choice of elution salt depends on several factors. The two major considerations are the relative strength needed to elute target(s) and other compounds, molecules, etc. that are in the sample, and the presence of any ions that might affect downstream steps such as further purification, assays, or enzyme activity.