Die Chromatographie, eine zentrale Methode in der biotechnischen Aufarbeitung

Chromatography, an essential method for downstream processing in biotechnology. More than ten years ago, largescale chromatography was established for isolation and purification of high molecular weight natural products, such as proteins and nucleic acids, from fermentation broths and extracts of animal and plant tissues. This was a result of the development of rigid, hydrophilic, and biocompatible polymers with large pore sizes. Compared to the precipitation methods previously used on a large scale, chromatography offers in particular the possibility of producing blood proteins and enzymes of higher purity on a technical scale and without pollution. The various chromatographic methods involve many separation possibilities with excellent selectivities. Progress in improving the chromatographic materials together with advanced equipment were the basis for present‐day importance of chromatography in biotechnology downstream processing.