Loss of Peptides and Proteins Upon Sterile Filtration Due to Adsorption to Membrane Filters

Abstract

Sterile filtration through membrane filters is one of the unit operations frequently applied in the pharmaceutical manufacture of peptide or protein solutions. However, proteins tend by nature, to adsorb to filter materials. The adsorption of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, bovine serum albumin and gamma globulin to five types of filters from three different materials under both static and dynamic conditions was studied. With respect to the filter material, the order of protein affinity that was found is polyvinylidene flouride < nylon ≪ cellulose nitrate. It was observed that the adsorption process follows time-dependent saturation kinetics. Several recommendations with respect to the filtration process are given which may be helpful in reducing losses of material due to adsorption to filters.