PROPERTIES OF MICROFILTRATION MEMBRANES .2. ADSORPTION OF BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN AT ALUMINUM-OXIDE MEMBRANES

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin at microfiltration membranes has been studied as a function of protein concentration, pH and flow rate through the membrane. Adsorption is initially rapid, the rate depending on the protein concentration and permeation rate. An apparent equilibrium is attained after 30 minutes to three hours. This equilibrium may be described in terms of a monolayer of strongly bound protein and multilayers of weakly bound protein. The pH dependence of adsorption indicates that both electrostatic and hydration effects are important. The equilibrium amount of adsorbed protein also depends on the flow rate through the membrane. Results are compared to previous studies of protein adsorption on polymeric membranes. © 1990.