Filter sterilisation of phytohaemagglutinin solution - (Nov/13/2006 )

Hi there,

I would like to know if it is safe to filter sterilise a phytohaemagglutinin solution using cellulose acetate syringe filters?
I'm also uncertain on the pore size to use (0.45/0.22 micron), as I do not want the PHA molecules to get trapped in the filter.
I would greatly appreciate any advice regarding this.
Many thanks.
Lesh

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Good morning,
On my knowledge, PHA from Faseolus vulgaris has approximately 77x43 angstrom which means ~0.33 microns. Usually commercial PHA preparations are mixtures of a couple of molecular species, so Im not sure which variation would apply to the "dimensions" above. If you've purchased PHA and dissolved in already sterilized (PBS) solution, should be fine. If not, I would try 0.22 pore size. The mol weigth of PHA is slightly under 100,000.

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