The use of modified sporopollenin from Lycopodium clavatum as a novel ion- or ligand-exchange medium

Abstract

The outer coat (exine) of plant pollen grains and many related microspores derived from algae or fungi is composed of the material sporopollenin, probably produced biochemically by an enzyme-controlled oxidative polymerisation of carotenoids. Sporopollenin is exceptionally resistant to chemical and physical attack. The material from the commercially available Lycopodium clavatum retains the full morphology of the original spore grain after processing. It may also be functionalised without any change in microscopic appearance by direct amination with ethylene or propylene diamine, sulphonation with chlorosulphonic acid and carboxyalkylation of the former aminoethylsporopollenin which produces a carboxymethylsporopollenin. These materials have been used as column materials for the successful separation of a selection of nucleosides, nucleotides, α-amino acids and transition metals. The advantages of sporopollenin over conventional ion-exchange materials are discussed.