Preparation of cellulose-based chromatographic medium for biological separation: A review

Cellulose is a kind of renewable linear polysaccharide with good safety, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability and has become a commonly used chromatographic medium for biological separation and purification. The purpose of this paper is to describe the recent developments in the applications of cellulose-based absorbents as chromatographic medium. This review also attempts to explain the current situation of cellulose-based chromatographic medium from the aspects of cellulose dissolution, common strategies for generating spherical particles of cellulose and its derivatives (such as titration, emulsification, microfluidic and other synthesis methods) and improvement of adsorption properties. Furthermore, non-spherical cellulose-based chromatographic medium are also described briefly.