POLYETHYLENEIMINE IMMOBILIZATION ON TO CE LLULOSE FIBERS AND THEIR ABILITY FOR SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF ENDOTOXIN FROM PROTEIN SOLUTIONS

Fibrous adsorbent (Cell-PEI) for selective removal of endotoxin was pr epared by immobilization of polyethyleneimine onto cellulose fiber. Th e anion exchange capacity of the Cell-PEI was easily adjusted by chang ing the ratio of polyethyleneimine to the cellulose. The endotoxin-ads orbing capacity of the adsorbent increased with increase in anion exch ange capacity of the adsorbent, but decreased with increase in ionic s trength of the buffer. The adsorbent (anion exchange capacity 1.1-3.0 meq/g), however, retained a high endotoxin-adsorbing activity at a wid e range of ionic strength (mu=0.05-0.4). The adsorbent (anion exchange capacity 1.1 meq/g), furthermore, selectively removed endotoxin in a bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution at an ionic strength of mu=0.05-0. 2 and at around neutral pH, without affecting the recovery of the BSA.