Selective sample preparation with bioaffinity columns prepared by the sol-gel method

Bioaffinity materials prepared by entrapping highly selective bioligands in the pores of a sol¿gel glass offer unique advantages for the clean-up of complex sample matrices. The inclusion of sol¿gel bioaffinity columns frequently allows the efficient elimination of interfering matrix components and enrichment of analytes in a simple step. After introducing the basic principles the paper reviews the methods for the production of protein-doped sol¿gel materials and discusses the characteristics of sol¿gel affinity columns by comparing their stability, selectivity, binding capacity and reusability. The potential of sample clean-up with sol¿gel affinity columns is demonstrated giving applications in environmental, food and clinical analysis.