Use of dynamic contact angle profile analysis in studying the kinetics of protein removal from steel, glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, ethylenepropylene rubber, and silicone surfaces

The use of dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis for the evaluation of cleaning procedures is described. Stainless-steel, glass, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, ethylenepropylene rubber, and silicone substrates were soaked in albumin solution to contaminate their surfaces. The kinetics of removal of the adsorbed protein by immersion in a cleaning solution (NaOH/Triton X-100) was evaluated by DCA adsorption profile analysis to determine optimum soak times in the cleaning solution. Soak times are shown to vary significantly with the type of material. While glass and silicone substrates are cleaned within a few minutes, the soak time for stainless steel under the experimental conditions employed is shown to be on the order of an hour. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.