The effect of suspended clay on protein removal during foam fractionation

摘要

Experiments were conducted to test whether (1) protein removal and the amount of suspended clays in estuarine water are correlated, (2) pH affects protein removal by clay, and (3) clay particles are removed by foam fractionation. The protein (bovine serum albumin) levels in the water decreased as the levels of the clay (bentonite) increased in a dose-dependent manner. The protein was more likely to be removed if the pH of the water was close to the isoelectric point of the protein. Clay particles can be removed by foam fractionation, which is significant because protein is bound to the clay. These results suggest that theoretical models addressing protein removal by foam fractionation consider the presence of clays as a factor.