PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF A LOW FOULING ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANE MADE FROM A BIOPOLYMER

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes composed of biologically derived matric es, individually cross-linked onto ceramic microfilters using glutaral dehyde, cyanuric chloride and carbodiimide as fixing agents, are prese nted. The matrix was derived from a bovine aorta endothelial cell line . Their potential as industrial/scientific tools has been evaluated to include definitions of operational parameters such as flux rate (90-1 20 1/m(2) h), pressure (1-35 psi) and temperature (10-40 degrees C). T heir stability upon exposure to different pHs, solvents, enzymes and s terilizing agents is also defined. The fouling nature and rejection pr operties of the matrix are examined and these suggest that the biologi cal membrane compares very favourably with cellulose acetate UF membra nes, currently among the market leaders in low fouling UF membranes.