BILIRUBIN REMOVAL FROM HUMAN PLASMA IN A PACKED-BED COLUMN SYSTEM WITH DYE-AFFINITY MICROBEADS

A dye-ligand, Cibacron Blue F3GA, was covalently coupled with the poly (EGDMA-HEMA) microbeads. The affinity sorbent carrying 16.5 mu mol Cib acron Blue F3GA per gram polymer was then used to remove bilirubin fro m human plasma in a packed-bed column system. Bilirubin adsorption fro m human plasma on the unmodified poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microbeads was 0.32 mg/g. while much higher adsorption values, up to 24.2 mg/g, were obtai ned with the dye-attached microbeads. The bilirubin adsorption capacit y of the microbeads decreased with an increase in the recirculation ra te of plasma. Bilirubin adsorption increased with increasing temperatu re, and the maximum adsorption achieved at 37 degrees C (32.5 mg bilir ubin/g polymer). Bilirubin molecules interacted directly with the immo bilized Cibacron Blue F3GA molecules. Contribution of albumin adsorpti on on bilirubin adsorption was also significant. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence B.V.