Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
07:24
In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation
Published on: March 27, 2016
Elution of viruses by ionic and nonionic surfactants
1Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia 22312, USA.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Matching ionic or nonionic surfactants with the correct binding membranes is crucial for effective virus elution. This study demonstrates optimal virus recovery using sodium dodecyl sulfate with cationic polysulfone and Triton X-100 with nitrocellulose.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Virology
Background:
- Virus adsorption to membranes is a key step in purification.
- The choice of binding membrane and eluent significantly impacts virus recovery.
- Understanding elution mechanisms is vital for optimizing bioseparation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the elution efficiency of different surfactant-membrane combinations for virus recovery.
- To determine the optimal matching of ionic and nonionic surfactants with corresponding binding membranes.
- To evaluate the elution of bacteriophages phi X174 and PRD1.
Main Methods:
- Adsorption of viruses (phi X174 and PRD1) to ionic (cationic polysulfone) and nonionic (nitrocellulose) membranes.
- Elution of adsorbed viruses using ionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and nonionic (Triton X-100) surfactants.
- Analysis of elution efficiency based on surfactant-membrane compatibility.
Main Results:
- Complete elution of viruses was achieved when surfactant type matched membrane type (ionic-ionic or nonionic-nonionic).
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate effectively eluted viruses from cationic polysulfone membranes.
- Triton X-100 effectively eluted viruses from nitrocellulose membranes.
Conclusions:
- Optimal virus elution requires matching the properties of the surfactant to the binding membrane.
- Ionic-ionic and nonionic-nonionic combinations ensure efficient virus recovery.
- This finding is critical for developing effective virus purification strategies.
Related Concept Videos
03:22Colloids
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
01:18Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins
Detergents are used to purify the integral proteins of the membrane. The hydrophobic portion of the detergent can replace membrane phospholipids while solubilizing the membrane proteins. When detergent monomers reach a specific concentration in a solution called critical micelle concentration (CMC), they form micelles. Above CMC, the concentration of the detergent monomers remains in equilibrium with the micelle. The number of detergent monomers present in the CMC varies for each detergent, and...
03:00Solubility
Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
01:27Surface Active Agents
Surfactants, named for their behavior at interfaces, positively adsorb at the interfaces of two phases, reducing interfacial tension. Their versatility as emulsifiers, detergents, and foaming agents stems from this ability. Surfactants, often termed amphiphiles, share the property of amphipathy, with molecules having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. The hydrophilic part is called the head, and the hydrophobic part, including an elongated alkyl substituent, forms the tail.Surfactants...
01:30Micelles
Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...