Optimize Purification With Sartorius Chromatography Consumables
Target Molecule Properties Determine Media Selection for Each Chromatography Step
Evaluating chromatography consumables requires multiple layers of decision-making. Based on the characteristics of the target molecule you’re purifying and the drug lifecycle stage, there are questions about the most suitable media for the stationary phase and the appropriate chemistry. Criteria such as time to market, cost, and risk mitigation also play a role in the decision.
Choosing the right solution from the start will streamline process development, scale-up, and commercialization of chromatography processes. These choices become easier when you partner with a supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of membranes, resins, monoliths, columns, and systems — alongside deep expertise in separating and purifying complex biomolecules.
Sartorius chromatography solutions cover the full range of separation technologies and methodologies to support any process and molecule, regardless of size or unique characteristics.
Chromatography Consumables Portfolio
Selecting the Right Chromatographic Media for the Right Molecule at the Right Stage
Resins bind recombinant proteins and other small molecules effectively, but their reliance on diffusion can limit operating flow rates. Convective media, such as membranes and monoliths, maintain consistent binding across a broader range of molecule sizes and can support higher flow rates. They are ideal for capturing large molecules like viruses and for polishing applications.Resins bind recombinant proteins and other small molecules effectively, but their reliance on diffusion can limit operating flow rates. Convective media, such as membranes and monoliths, maintain consistent binding across a broader range of molecule sizes and can support higher flow rates. They are ideal for capturing large molecules like viruses and for polishing applications.
Membranes
Recognised for high throughput performance in capture and polishing steps across ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and affinity chromatography:
- High productivity in capture and polishing steps for mAb and gene therapy processes
- Scalable, ready-to-use formats with no column packing required
- Established technology for removing DNA, HCPs, and endotoxins, as well as viral clearance
Resins
For traditional column chromatography capture and polishing steps:
- Proven formats for traditional biomolecules like mAbs and recombinant proteins
- Diverse selection of affinity and ion exchange resins
- Mixed-mode ligands available for challenging purification processes
Monoliths
Unique, single-unit structures for preparatory/analytical applications and immobilization screening:
- Offers wide range of ligands for capture and polishing
- Appropriate for affinity, IEX, HIC, and mixed-mode methods
- Ideal for large biomolecules (e.g., viruses, nucleic acids, and exosomes)
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Supporting Products & Services
Sartorius Expertise Spans Chromatography Chemistries
Related Assets
Purifying a Large Fc-Fusion Protein Using Sartobind® Rapid A
Does Size Matter?
Sartobind® Rapid A, recently showcased at the ACS Spring 2025 (San Diego, CA, USA), is changing the way large Fc-fusion proteins can be purified. In the facilities of the recently inaugurated Center for Bioprocess Innovations in Marlborough (MA), USA, our specialist supported a local customer improve the purification process of a particularly large and challenging Fc-fusion protein. Sartobind® Rapid A outperformed a leading Protein A resin:
- 2-fold higher binding capacity
- 28.3% increase in yield
- Target CQA profile maintained
Frequently Asked Questions
Chromatography consumables are any supplies required to carry out a chromatographic purification and include the chromatographic media, columns but also auxiliary materials, like chemicals, vials | containers, filters, tubings, etc. Sartorius’ portfolio focus on preparative chromatographic media available in different options (resins, membranes, and monoliths).
When selecting a chromatography consumable, several key factors should be considered. First, what type of target molecule is being purified, and which of its physical or chemical properties can be leveraged? Second, what is the goal of the separation—preparative or analytical, capture or polishing? Additionally, the nature of the sample or feedstream, including factors like concentration and impurity profile that may influence purification, should be considered. Finally, how important are scale and cost-efficiency for both the current process and future development with the same molecule or system?
With this information, it becomes possible to determine the most suitable chromatographic media, interaction type, and scale for the challenge at hand.
Resin chromatography and membrane chromatography are both used for the separation and purification of biomolecules, but they differ in structure, mechanism, and applications.
Structure
Resin chromatography uses beads or particles made from materials such as cellulose, silica, agarose, trisacryl, or acrylamide. These beads are packed into columns, and the majority of interaction sites are located within the porous structure of the resin beads. Membrane chromatography uses membranes or sheets typically made from natural or synthetic polymers, or a combination of both. These membranes are integrated into housings as spiral-wound configurations or stacks of flat sheets. The functional groups are directly accessible on the pore surfaces of the membrane.
Mechanism
In resin chromatography, diffusion is the primary mass transfer mechanism, responsible for bringing the target molecule to the functional groups within the resin bead. In membrane chromatography, convection is the predominant mass transfer mechanism, facilitating the interaction between the target molecule and the functional groups on the membrane surface.
Applications
Resin chromatography is widely used for high-resolution separations and is suitable for a broad range of applications, particularly in protein purification, peptide purification, and the preparation of blood and plasma derivatives. Membrane chromatography is often used in applications where speed and throughput are critical. Due to their structure, membranes are well suited for purifying large biomolecules such as Fc-fusion proteins, multi-specifics, viral particles, nucleic acids, virus-like particles, and exosomes.
Advantages
Resin chromatography offers high resolution, and a wide variety of formats and chemistries are available.
Membrane chromatography enables faster processing times and lower pressure drops, which contribute to increased productivity.
Diffusion and convection are the two mass transfer mechanisms that define the performance of chromatographic separation. Understanding how these mechanisms function across different chromatography media supports better decision-making and can improve separation outcomes.
Diffusive mass transfer occurs due to concentration gradients, with molecules moving from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration, either within the stationary phase (such as resins, membranes, or monoliths) or between the mobile and stationary phases. This process is generally slower and is influenced by factors such as temperature, molecular size, and the characteristics of the stationary phase. Diffusion is the dominant mass transfer mechanism in resin chromatography.
Convective mass transfer involves the active transport of molecules carried by the bulk flow of the mobile phase. It is influenced by factors such as flow rate, viscosity, and consumable design. This process is significantly faster than diffusion and is the dominant mechanism in membrane chromatography and monolithic chromatography.
Sartorius offers cutting-edge chromatography media designed to meet purification needs across different target molecules and stages of the drug lifecycle. Our chromatography consumables portfolio includes a comprehensive range of resins, membranes, and monoliths, with diverse modifications to provide the right match for each purification challenge, based on the properties of the target molecules and process scale.
