Removal of endotoxin from water by microfiltration through a microporous polyethylene hollow-fiber membrane
The microporous polyethylene hollow-fiber membrane has a unique microfibrile structure throughout its depth and has been found to possess the functions of filtration and adsorption of endotoxin in water. The membrane has a maximum pore diameter of approximately 0.04 micron, a diameter which is within the range of microfiltration. Approximately 10 and 20% of the endotoxin in tap water and subterranean water, respectively, was smaller than 0.025 micron. Endotoxin in these water sources was efficiently removed by the microporous polyethylene hollow-fiber membrane. Escherichia coli O113 culture broth contained 26.4% of endotoxin smaller than 0.025 micron which was also removed. Endotoxin was leaked into the filtrate only when endotoxin samples were successively passed through the membrane. These results indicate that endotoxin smaller than the pore size of the membrane was adsorbed and then leaked into the filtrate because of a reduction in binding sites. Dissociation of /sup 3/H-labeled endotoxin from the membrane was performed, resulting in the removal of endotoxin associated with the membrane by alcoholic alkali at 78% efficiency.
- Research Organization:
- Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Nagoya, Japan
- OSTI ID:
- 5563581
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN AEMID
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORPTION
ANIMALS
ANTIGENS
BACTERIA
ENDOTOXINS
ESCHERICHIA COLI
FILTERS
FILTRATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARTICLE SIZE
POLLUTION
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RABBITS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIZE
SORPTION
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXINS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
ULTRAFILTRATION
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION