Optical Resolution of Racemic Amino Acids through DNA-Poly(4-vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium Polyion Complex Membranes

Novel polyion complex membranes were prepared from DNA-Na and poly(4-vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride (PVBTMAC). The newly prepared DNA-PVBTMA polyion complex membranes showed a chiral separation ability toward racemic lysine (Lys) mixtures. The membranes transported D-Lys in preference to the corresponding L-isomer of Lys. The permselectivity toward the D-isomer reached 1.26. From transport experiments and adsorption studies, it was revealed that the permselectivity was mainly determined by diffusivity selectivity.