ABSTRACT
In this study, the objective was to separate exopolysaccharides (EPSs) released in the broth subsequent to outdoor cultivation of Botryococcus braunii. For this, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogels were synthesized. After that, the surface was modified by coupling Concanavalin A. Box-Behnken statistical design was used to evaluate the effect of freezing temperature, Con A concentration and flow rate on Con A binding capacity. Optimum synthesis conditions were elicited as -14.48°C freezing temperature, 1.00mg/ml Con A concentration and 0.30ml/min flow rate yielding 3.18mg Con A/g cryogel, whereas -16°C, 1.00mg/ml and 0.30ml/min yielded the highest (3.38mg) binding capacity in experimental cryogel preparation. The EPS adsorption capacity of the optimum cryogel column was found as 3.26mg EPS/g cryogel corresponding to adsorption yield of 80%. Besides; swelling test, elemental analysis, Micro-CT, SEM and FTIR analysis were carried out for characterization of the synthesized cryogels.
