Removal of viruses by microfiltration membranes at different solution environments

Rejection change by nuclepore microfiltration membranes with solution environment was investigated by using the RNA coliphages Q beta, MS2, fr and DNA coliphage T4. The obtained rejection results showed a higher rejection at lower pH than at higher pH for all viruses. The highest rejection for all viruses were obtained at pH closer to their isoelectric points and also the rejection variation indicates a similar pattern of behavior. This phenomenon of higher virus rejection at lower pH is explained with a possible viruses aggregation with each other due to their own electrostatic charge and isoelectric points. Also it was observed that the virus rejection was enhanced when they are in mixed environment. Finally the effect of protein was studied where, the virus rejection below pH 5.0 showed protein influence. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.