Poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride)-graft-cotton cellulose, an anion-exchange matrix, was synthesized by a mutual radiation-induced grafting technique with a Co-60 gamma-radiation source. The grafted matrix was characterized by grafting yield estimation, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The grafting yield decreased with the increase in the dose rate. However, the grafting yield and nitrogen content of grafted samples increased almost linearly with an increase in the total irradiation dose. To evaluate the performance of the grafted anion-exchange matrix, the protein adsorption and elution behavior were investigated in a continuous column process under various experimental conditions, with bovine serum albumin used as a model protein. The binding and elution behavior of the anion-exchange matrix depended on different experimental parameters, such as the grafting yield, ionic strength, pH of the medium, and amount of protein loaded. From a breakthrough curve, the equilibrium binding capacity and elution percentage of the grafted anionexchange matrix were estimated to be 40 mg/g and 94%, respectively. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.