F. Martinez et al., Protein adsorption and deposition onto microfiltration membranes: The roleof solute-solid interactions, J COLL I SC, 221(2), 2000, pp. 254-261
The mass of gamma-globulin fouling an Anodisc alumina membrane with a nomin
al pore diameter of 0.1 mu m has been measured at several concentrations an
d pHs, This fouling resulted from filtering through the membrane in a conti
nuous recirculation device. The low-concentration fouling can be attributed
mainly to adsorption. The complete concentration dependence of fouling mas
s has been obtained and fitted to a Freundlich heterogeneous isotherm, from
which the pH dependence of active fouling sites and energies has been also
obtained. Adsorption is studied as a function of the electrostatic forces
between the solute and the membrane. A sharp maximum in the adsorbed mass f
or zero electrostatic force is observed. At high concentrations, accumulati
on plays a relevant role at alkaline pH, as confirmed by flux decay experim
ents, retention measurements, and AFM (atomic force microscopy) pictures. (
C) 2000 Academic Press.