Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels for protein enrichment

The synthesized hydrogels were tested as a draw agent in FO for bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein enrichment experiments. As the enrichment is directly related to the absolute weight of water extracted from the feed solution, the performance was presented in terms of enrichment factors. Thermally regenerated hydrogels were again recycled back to the process, and some reduction in enrichment was observed. Further based on the results obtained with different membrane area, mass of hydrogels, swelling ratios and water recovery rates, parameters for hydrogel assisted FO process are predicted for various applications.