Loss of propranolol during ultrafiltration in plasma protein binding studies

A commercial ultrafiltration device was examined for propranolol plasma protein binding studies. A nonspecific loss of free drug resulted in a low recovery in the ultrafiltrate. Use of a rinse filtrate did not completely compensate for this loss. Use of different centrifugal forces indicated the loss was not due to significant membrane rejection of drug. Equilibrating the device with sample for four hours slightly improved the recovery while use of a higher ionic strength buffer had no effect. Propranolol was bound by the membrane, but there was a larger, continuous loss to the o-ring. Results with an alternate commercial device were also unsatisfactory.