ION-EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH A SOFT SORBENT OPERATING IN A PRESSURIZED COLUMN

A standard Pharmacia column was modified to enable pressurization with inert gas. The column moveable adaptor can follow the gel as the volume changes under pressure; thus, ''dead volume-free'' operation is achieved. A trial separation of natural bee venom components was carried out on the modified column with CM-Sephadex C,, in a pH and ionic strength gradient. It was found that, at 54 kPa pressure, the elution times of the bee venom constituents phospholipase a,, apamin and melittin are reduced and the resolution is improved.