4. Conclusion
Conventional procedures of Concanavalin A (Con A) purification from jack bean (C. ensiformis) follows a tedious and time consuming protocol with lower yield due to involvement of multiple intermediate steps. In present communication, we introduce aptamer-based affinity matrices to develop a superior method of Con A isolation and purification. The developed aptamer-affinity chromatography represents a special category of affinity chromatography wherein high affinity Con A-aptabody is used for its selective purification. The well characterized modification chemistry, high affinity and specificity, and smaller size and thereof higher loading capacity of the aptamer offer substantial benefit to aptamer-affinity chromatography. Moreover, being aptamer-based method, it is tolerant to thermal and elution denaturation of immobilized ligand; therefore, is reusable and reproducible. Being cheaper to synthesize and no involving batch to batch variability, aptamer provides a cost effective substitute to immunoaffinity chromatography. The method gives high target purity with an appreciable yield in a single step purification procedure. In short, the developed Con A aptabody-affinity chromatography provides an efficient and cost effective substitute to conventional immunoaffinity chromatography for purification Con A.