Structural characteristics of a macroporous membrane used for HBs antigen removal

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 81; no. 3; pp. 263 - 272
• Main Authors: Sigal, V.L., Ponomarev, V.L., Semernikov, V.A., Volfkovich, Yu.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 29.06.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: antigen removal; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; blood plasma purification; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; macroporous membranes; membrane structure; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Others; porometry; Various methods and equipments; antigen removal; macroporous membranes; biotechnology; porometry; blood plasma purification; membrane structure; Membrane filter; Separation method; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Analysis method; Porous membrane; Desorption; Macroporosity; Blood plasma
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/0376-7388(93)85178-Y

An original method of standard porometry based on the desorption of the working fluid is proposed for studying the porous structure of 1760 AC separation membranes. Water is used as working fluid. The results obtained demonstrate that filters composed of these membranes can be used in the purification of blood plasma to remove macromolecules with Van der Waals sizes at least as large as the diameter of the through pores of the membrane. This can be achieved in the 1760 AC matrix within very narrow limits (0.5–1.5) nm and (2–3) nm. The process allows an antiviral sterilization of human serum albumin by ultrafiltration on the studied membranes. It is confirmed that the removal of HBs antigen from albumin solutions by this means may successfully replace the conventional technology applied to these solutions, consisting in stabilization of the albumin by sodium octanoate, pasteurization and sorption purification.