Abstract: A process is described for removing low density and very low density lipoproteins from blood plasma or serum and recovering the plasma or serum in a physiologically acceptable form. The method involves in a preferred embodiment passing plasma or serum through a cationic ion exchanger equilibrated with a physiologically acceptable saline solution. The ion exchanger is a water insoluble hydrophilic, water swellable cross-linked regenerated or microgranular cellulose matrix substituted with hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkyl group. The ion exchanger capacity is provided by sulphate groups substituted with from 2 to 6 meq/g. The take up of low density lipoproteins is enhanced by recycling the plasma through the column.

Abstract: The invention relates to the carbonylation of cross linked substituted and unsubstituted polysaccharides, their copolymers with macroporous synthetic polymers, macroporous synthetic polymers and rigid supports with pendant hydroxyalkyl groups. The carbonylated product can be used to prepare an affinity chromatography matrix which remains an uncharged species at varying pH's. The carbonylated product is also useful for the preparation of other compounds: Typical polysaccharides are agarose, starch, dextran, cellulose and regenerated cellulose, typical macroporous synthetic polymers are acrylamides, acrylates and methacrylates, typical rigid supports are silica beads coated with hydroxy alkyl groups and typical cabonylating agents are N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole; N,N'carbonyl di-1,2,3-benzotriazole; and N,N'-carbonyl di-1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract: Carbonylation of a polysaccharide and the product of that carbonylation. The carbonylated product can be used to prepare an affinity chromatography matrix which is an uncharged species of varying pH's. The carbonylated product is also useful for the preparation of other compounds. Typical polysaccharides are agarose, starch, dextran, cellulose and regenerated cellulose and typical carbonylating agents are N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole; N,N' carbonyl di-1,2,3-benzotriazole; and N,N'-carbonyl di-1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel sulphated cationic ion exchanger and to a method for preparation thereof. In addition it relates to a method of improving the capacity of an exchange matrix to receive sulphated groups. Although the general attraction of sulphate groups to proteins is known we have found that sulphated ion exchangers selectively bind lipoproteins in blood serum or plasma under suitable conditions. We have also discovered that when hydroxyalkyl groups are introduced into the ion exchanger matrix its capacity for taking up sulphate groups is unexpectedly increased. A method of use of the ion exchanger is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel water insoluble hydroxyalkylated cross-linked regenerated cellulose and a method for its preparation. The product is characterized by having outstanding swelling characteristics and high chemical reactivity. A method of preparing the product using near stoichiometric proportions of reagents is described. Use of the product directly in gel chromatography and as an intermediate in the preparation of ion exchangers is described.