Simultaneous Removal of Albumin-Bound Toxins in Liver Support Devices: Bilirubin and Tryptophan Adsorption on Activated Carbon

Abstract

Adsorption processes are commonly implemented in liver support devices for the removal of albumin-bound toxins such as bilirubin and tryptophan. A quantitative knowledge of the reduction of the adsorption capacity due to the simultaneous presence of albumin and several toxins in the liquid phase is essential for a rational design of an adsorption unit used in the liver support devices. In this work, simultaneous adsorption of bilirubin and tryptophan from albumin-containing solutions was investigated. In particular, experimental runs have been carried out in order to evaluate the presence of a competitive adsorption on the activated carbon of the two examined toxins. The IAS model has been used to account for multicomponent adsorption equilibrium.