Separation of proteins from complex bio-matrix samples using a double-functionalized polymer monolithic column

A double-functionalized polymer monolithic column was fabricated within the confines of a stainless-steel column (50 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) via a facile method using iron porphyrin, ionic liquid (1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) and 1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate as tri-monomers; ethylene dimethacrylate as a crosslinker; polyethylene glycol 400 and N,N-dimethylformamide as co-porogens; benzoyl peroxide and N,N-dimethyl aniline as the redox initiation system. Results obtained from scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and mercury intrusion porosimetry confirmed the uniform pore structure and the pore size distribution of macro-pores. The home-made monolith was further characterized by elemental analysis to investigate the elemental composition of Fe supplied by iron porphyrin, confirming the synthetic process. The resulting optimized monolithic column was used as the stationary phase in high performance liquid chromatography for separating proteins, such as mixture of standard proteins, egg white, and human plasma, exhibiting good selectivity and high performance. It is worth noting that the home-made double-functionalized polymer monolithic column shows excellent selectivity for fractionation separation of human plasma proteins, and it is a promising separation tool for complex bio-samples in proteomic research.