A procedure for the partial fractionation of the αs-casein complex

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Abstract
A method for the partial fractionation of the αs-casein complex is described. It involves removal of κ-casein from iso-electric casein by the method of Zittle & Custer (1963) followed by fractionating the residue (αs- and β-casein) by the urea procedure of Hipp et al. (1952). αs0- and αs1-caseins precipitate from 3·3 M urea at pH 4·6, but much of the αs2-, αs3- and αs4-casein remains in solution and co-precipitates with β-casein from 1·7 M urea at pH 4·9. Chromatography on DEAE cellulose clearly separates β-casein from the αs2-, αs3- and αs4-caseins, which are not resolved by the conditions employed. The method is suitable for the fractionation of iso-electric casein into all its major components (i) κ-casein; (ii) αs0- and αs1-caseins; (iii) αs2-, αs3- and αs4-caseins; (iv) β-casein; (v) γ-casein.