Product Overview
SHBC HardIEX MC is a high-rigidity, high-salt-tolerant weak cation exchange chromatography media designed for protein and biomolecule purification.
The product uses a high-rigidity agarose matrix engineered for improved mechanical performance, fast flow and low back pressure.
A key feature of HardIEX MC is its high salt tolerance, making it suitable for ion exchange purification processes where conventional ion exchange media may show reduced binding performance as conductivity increases.
Key Features
High-rigidity agarose matrix
Weak cation exchange chromatography media
High salt tolerance
Approximately 90 μm average particle size
≥45 mg/mL dynamic binding capacity for BSA
Recommended flow rate: 90–500 cm/h
Pressure resistance: 0.5 MPa / 5 bar
Working pH range: 3–12
CIP pH range: 3–14
Fast flow characteristics
Low back pressure
High mechanical stability
Suitable for high-conductivity purification conditions
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification |
|---|
Product Name | HardIEX MC |
Brand | SHBC |
Product Type | High-Salt-Tolerant Weak Cation Exchange Chromatography Media |
Matrix | High-Rigidity Agarose |
Ligand | MC |
Ion Exchange Type | Weak Cation Exchanger |
Average Particle Size | Approx. 90 μm |
Dynamic Binding Capacity | ≥45 mg/mL (BSA) |
Recommended Flow Rate | 90–500 cm/h |
Pressure Resistance | 0.5 MPa / 5 bar |
Working pH Range | 3–12 |
CIP pH Range | 3–14 |
Package | 25 mL / 100 mL / 300 mL / 1 L / 5 L / 10 L / 20 L |
SHBC Art.No. | Packaging Specification |
A2117 | 25 mL |
A2118 | 100 mL |
A2119 | 300 mL |
A2120 | 1 L |
A2121 | 5 L |
A2122 | 10 L |
A2123 | 20 L |
High-Rigidity Agarose Matrix
HardIEX MC uses a high-rigidity agarose matrix developed through chemical modification and reinforcement of a conventional agarose framework.
The HardIEX matrix is designed to provide:
Improved mechanical strength
Fast flow rates
Low back pressure
Stable packed-bed performance
High binding capacity
Better suitability for process-scale chromatography
The matrix can tolerate pressures up to 0.5 MPa / 5 bar.
High-Salt-Tolerant Weak Cation Exchange
HardIEX MC is specifically positioned as a high-salt-tolerant weak cation exchange chromatography media.
Ion exchange chromatography normally depends strongly on conductivity and ionic strength. Increasing salt concentration can weaken electrostatic interactions between proteins and conventional ion exchange media.
HardIEX MC is designed to maintain useful binding performance under relatively higher salt conditions, providing greater flexibility when processing feed streams with elevated conductivity.
Why High Salt Tolerance Matters
High salt tolerance can provide important process advantages.
In many downstream purification workflows, samples may already contain significant concentrations of salts or other ionic components.
A chromatography media with improved salt tolerance may help:
Reduce the need for extensive sample dilution
Reduce buffer exchange requirements
Simplify feed preparation
Improve process efficiency
Reduce buffer consumption
Shorten overall purification workflows
The supplier specifically highlights the salt-tolerant behavior of the MC media as a key product characteristic.
Dynamic Binding Capacity
HardIEX MC provides a specified dynamic binding capacity of:
≥45 mg/mL for BSA
This provides useful protein loading capacity while maintaining the high-flow characteristics of the high-rigidity agarose matrix.
High Flow Rate and Low Back Pressure
The recommended linear flow rate is:
90–500 cm/h
The mechanically reinforced agarose matrix supports fast-flow operation while helping maintain relatively low back pressure.
This makes HardIEX MC suitable for process workflows where throughput and cycle time are important considerations.
Pressure Resistance up to 5 Bar
HardIEX MC provides a specified pressure resistance of:
0.5 MPa / 5 bar
The high mechanical strength allows the media to operate under more demanding chromatography conditions than softer conventional agarose matrices.
pH Stability
HardIEX MC provides:
Working pH: 3–12
CIP pH: 3–14
This broad pH stability supports flexible purification process development and cleaning-in-place procedures.
Applications
SHBC HardIEX MC can be used for:
Protein purification
BSA purification
Recombinant protein purification
Biomolecule separation
Weak cation exchange chromatography
High-salt or high-conductivity sample purification
Intermediate purification
Downstream bioprocessing
Process-scale chromatography
Purification process development and scale-up
Product Advantages
HardIEX MC combines:
High salt tolerance
High-rigidity agarose matrix
Weak cation exchange functionality
≥45 mg/mL BSA binding capacity
High recommended flow rate
Low back pressure
Pressure resistance up to 5 bar
Broad pH stability
Suitable for scalable downstream purification
The key positioning of HardIEX MC is its improved suitability for relatively high-salt conditions.
Feature | HardIEX MC | Conventional Cation Exchange Media |
Exchange Type | Weak Cation Exchange | Product-dependent |
Matrix | High-Rigidity Agarose | Agarose or other matrix |
Salt Tolerance | High-Salt-Tolerant Design | Product-dependent |
Recommended Flow Rate | 90–500 cm/h | Product-dependent |
Pressure Resistance | 0.5 MPa | Product-dependent |
Reference Binding Capacity | ≥45 mg/mL BSA | Product-dependent |
Main Advantage | High salt tolerance and high-flow processing | General ion exchange purification |
HardIEX MC is particularly useful when sample conductivity or salt concentration is relatively high and process simplification is desired.
Storage and Handling
Keep the chromatography media in its original container and protect it from contamination during storage and handling.
Before use, equilibrate the packed bed with an appropriate buffer according to the purification process.
Sample conductivity, pH, loading amount, flow rate, elution conditions and CIP procedures should be optimized according to the properties of the target biomolecule and purification process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HardIEX MC?
HardIEX MC is a high-rigidity, high-salt-tolerant weak cation exchange chromatography media designed for protein and biomolecule purification.
What matrix is used?
The media uses a high-rigidity agarose matrix.
What type of ion exchanger is HardIEX MC?
HardIEX MC is classified as a weak cation exchange chromatography media.
What is the average particle size?
The average particle size is approximately 90 μm.
What is the dynamic binding capacity?
The specified dynamic binding capacity is ≥45 mg/mL for BSA.
What is special about HardIEX MC?
One of its key characteristics is high salt tolerance, making it suitable for purification under relatively high-conductivity conditions.
What is the recommended flow rate?
The recommended flow rate is 90–500 cm/h.
What is the pressure resistance?
HardIEX MC can tolerate up to 0.5 MPa / 5 bar.
What is the working pH range?
The working pH range is 3–12.
What is the CIP pH range?
The CIP pH range is 3–14.
Can HardIEX MC be used for high-salt samples?
The supplier specifically positions MC as a high-salt-tolerant weak cation exchange media, making it suitable for developing purification processes involving relatively high salt concentrations.
What package sizes are available?
SHBC offers 25 mL, 100 mL, 300 mL, 1 L, 5 L, 10 L and 20 L packages.
What are the SHBC Art.No. numbers?
The corresponding SHBC Art.No. are A2117, A2118, A2119, A2120, A2121, A2122 and A2123.
What brand is HardIEX MC?
HardIEX MC is supplied under the SHBC brand.
