RETENTION OF LIMULUS AMEBOCYTE LYSATE REACTIVE BACTERIAL PRODUCTS BY POLYSULFONE DIALYZERS IS AFFECTED BY THE TYPE OF DISINFECTANT

To reduce the level of contamination by bacterial products, ultrafiltr ation systems have been introduced and validated for their capacity to block the passage of bacterial components reactive to the limulus amo ebocyte lysate (LAL) test. In this study, the absorptive capacity of p olysulfone membranes undergoing disinfection cycles with free chlorine and peracetic acid were evaluated at various concentrations and conta ct times. The results of this study implicate a relevant physicochemic al derangement of the polysulfone membranes treated with sodium hypoch lorite but not with peracetic acid, diluted peracetic acid (Dialox) or Amuchina. The implications for the practical use of ultrafilters are discussed.