Bacteriophage concentration from water by filter chromatography

The efficiency of an electropositive filter for membrane chromatography of viruses was examined using coliform phages T₁, T₄, lambda and Salmonella phage P₂₂. Phages diluted in dechlorinated tap water were adsorbed to filters at neutral pH and eluted by 3% beet extract in 0.05 M glycine buffer at selected alkaline pH values. With exception of lambda phage, which displayed erratic adsorption behavior at any pH, all bacteriophages studied, adsorbed to filters with an efficiency of 97-100% at pH values ranging between 6.0 and 8.0. Each phage was readily eluted at alkaline pH levels. Maximal elution (86.2%) of T₁ phage and lambda phage (79%) occurred at pH 10, while T₄ and Salmonella phages were eluted most efficiently at pH 11 at values of 91.7 and 81.9%, respectively. The resolving power of the filter was such that individual phages within the same virus group (T₁ and T₄ phage) could be eluted at pHs differing by only one unit.