Emulsan-alginate beads were prepared and challenged using bovine serum albumin (BSA) to assess adsorption in comparison to alginate beads. BSA binding to the emulsan-alginate beads was improved over the alginate bead controls and protein adsorption was less sensitive to changes in ionic strength. BSA adsorption between pH 8.5 and 5.3 in alginate beads was 2-3-times lower compared to the emulsan-alginate beads in the same pH range. BSA adsorption and kinetic constants were at least 2-times higher for the emulsan-alginate beads compared to the alginate controls based on the Langmuir adsorption model. To further explore the utility of these novel emulsan-alginate bead systems, complex cell-free supernatants from some pathogenic microorganisms were exposed to the emulsan-alginate beads and increased protein adsorption was found when compared to controls. These trends were also confirmed with alpha-hemolysin toxicity studies. The data suggest that the protein-binding capacity of emulsan-alginate beads exceeds alginate controls, attributable to the unique binding features of emulsan.
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