Coupling Electrophoresis with Ultrafiltration for Improved Processing of Plasma Proteins

Abstract

Abstract The feasibility of coupling electrophoresis with ultrafiltration (electroultrafil-tration) in order to increase the flux and improve the selectivity of the ultrafiltration process was demonstrated experimentally for protein solutions. An electric field controlled the build-up of retained proteins at the membrane surface. Electroultrafiltration fluxes were 3 to 5 times greater than normal ultrafiltration fluxes. Retention and separation factors were also higher. The effects of important process variables were studied.