Transfer of amino acids through a membrane/solution interface in the presence of heterogeneous chemical protonation reaction

A physicochemical model for the transfer of amino acids through the interfa ce between a cation-exchange membrane and an amino acid aqueous solution is proposed. The model allows for a heterogeneous reaction of protonation of the amino acid zwitterion. The model calculations are compared with experim entally determined migration transport numbers for glycine cations in an el ectromembrane system with an MK-40 membrane. The comparison shows that, owi ng to the protonation reaction, the glycine flux can increase by ca. 30%.