Activation of cellulose-based carriers with pentaethylenehexamine

A method for the activation of a cellulose-based matrix resulting in obtaining active primary amino groups via a long spacer arm was developed. The method is based on coupling pentaethylenehexamine (PEHA) to the polymeric matrix through epoxy groups. It was shown that modification of cellulose with PEHA is a straightforward and convenient procedure that has the advantages of high coupling efficiency. The primary amino group density on the carrier surface can be easily adjusted by changing the content of epoxy groups in the matrix or by altering the amount of PEHA in the reaction mixture. The lectins Concanavalin A and Wheat Germ Agglutinin were employed as ligands for the immobilization onto the PEHA-activated carrier using glutaraldehyde. It was shown that the spacer arm affected ligand coupling kinetics as well as the chromatographic behaviour of the adsorbents obtained. Covalent immobilization of enzyme glucoamylase on PEHA-activated cellulose was done. It was found that covalent binding via glutaraldehyde offers satisfactorily stable and active preparations.