Purification of hemoglobin by tangential flow filtration with diafiltration

A recent study by Palmer, Sun, and Harris (Biotechnol. Prog., 25:189–199, 2009) demonstrated that tangential flow filtration (TFF) can be used to produce HPLC‐grade bovine and human hemoglobin (Hb). In this current study, we assessed the quality of bovine Hb (bHb) purified by introducing a 10 L batch‐mode diafiltration step to the previously mentioned TFF Hb purification process. The bHb was purified from bovine red blood cells (RBCs) by filtering clarified RBC lysate through 50 nm (stage I) and 500 kDa (stage II) hollow fiber (HF) membranes. The filtrate was then passed through a 100 kDa (stage III) HF membrane with or without an additional 10 L diafiltration step to potentially remove additional small molecular weight impurities. Protein assays, SDS‐PAGE, and LC‐MS of the purified bHb (stage III retentate) reveal that addition of a diafiltration step has no effect on bHb purity or yield; however, it does increase the methemoglobin level and oxygen affinity of purified bHb. Therefore, we conclude that no additional benefit is gained from diafiltration at stage III and a three stage TFF process is sufficient to produce HPLC‐grade bHb. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009