Kinetics of beta-lactoglobulin adsorption onto stainless steel surfaces

Adsorption kinetics of beta-lactoglobulin onto stainless steel at low concentrations were studied to determine adsorption rate constants for monolayer coverage. Experimental data obtained from a batch reactor were described quantitatively using a reversible adsorption model which becomes the Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm at equilibrium. The forward rate constant, k1, and backward rate constant, k2, were 10(5) mL g-1 min-1 and 5 x 10(-)3 min-1, respectively. A high-performance liquid chromatographic system using a stainless steel column packed with stainless steel particles (column adsorption reactor) was also used to measure adsorption with a step change of beta-lactoglobulin solution. The difference in behavior of an adsorption and a desorption isotherm in this column adsorption reactor suggested surface denaturation of beta-lactoglobulin after adsorption which was consistent with other research work. beta-lactoglobulin adsorption in the column adsorption reactor was affected by volumetric flow rate and concentration up to 4 mL min-1 and 100 &mgr;g mL-1, respectively.