Combining Fluorescence Microscopy and Flux Experiments for Visualizing
the Mechanism of BSA Biofouling
Abstract
Flux experiments and fluorescence microscopy were combined and optimized
to visualize the membrane surface during biofouling of two mixed
cellulose ester membranes. Using flux measurements, the fouling by
bovine serum albumin (BSA) was measured in the presence of 1 to 12%
labeled BSA. By fitting the relative flux decays to an exponential decay
for statistical analysis, the dye in this range of labeled protein was
found to not affect the fouling nature of the protein. A 2.5% or 5%
labeled protein sample was determined to be the best percent labeled
protein for fluorescence imaging the membrane because the beginning of
cake formation was observed within 25 min of experimental time. Finally,
by fitting the flux data to four different biofouling mechanism
equations, we conclude that both membranes, though at different rates,
have BSA depositing inside the membrane pores restricting the flow
eventually leading to cake formation. The combination of the two
techniques allows for further insight into the biofouling mechanism of
BSA, and this method can be applied to other biological molecules.