Organic solute rejection capacities of Escherichia coli and Halomonas elongata aquaporin-incorporated nanofiltration membranes

Abstract

Glucose, urea, and glycerol rejection capacities of thin film composite polysulfone membranes prepared with Escherichia coli and Halomonas elongata aquaporins were determined. Water permeability of the membranes was increased without a remarkable decrease in glycerol and urea rejection capacities when H. elongata aquaporin was incorporated into the membrane structure. High water permeability led to high volume processing and high solute rejection per unit time. Eight percent increase in glucose rejection capacity with a 27% increase in water permeability was achieved with E. coli aquaporin incorporated into the membrane structure. Aquaporins from two different bacterial sources displayed different properties in terms of organic solute transportation.