Removal of cadmium(II) ions from human plasma by thionein modified pHEMA based membranes

Microporous poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) [pHEMA] membranes carrying Cib acron Blue F3GA and/or thionein were prepared and used for cadmium(II) remo val from human plasma. pHEMA membranes were produced by a photopolymerizati on of HEMA in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile. The reactive dye-liga nd Cibacron Blue F3GA was then covalently attached onto the pHEMA membranes . The maximum dye-loading was 1.07 mu mol/cm(2). Then, thionein was adsorbe d onto the Cibacron Blue F3GA-carrying membranes. The maximum amount of thi onein adsorbed was 0.92 mu mol/cm(2). The aqueous swelling properties and c ontact angle lair underwater) of the pHEMA membrane were not observed to ch ange following derivatisation with Cibacron Blue F3GA. These hydrophilic me mbranes (contact angle value: 45.3 degrees) with a swelling ratio of 58% (w /w), and carrying Cibacron Blue F3GA and/or thionein were used in the Cd(II ) removal studies. The maximum amounts of Cd(II) removed from human plasma by Cibacron Blue F3GA-attached and Cibacron Blue F3GA-attached/thionein ads orbed pHEMA membranes were of 1.72 mu mol used as pectively. Cd(II) ions co uld be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with both types of these novel meta llo-peptide affinity pHEMA membranes without noticeable loss in their Cd(II ) adsorption capacity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.