Adsorption of Anthocyanins by Cation and Anion Exchange Resins with Aromatic and Aliphatic Polymer Matrices.

This study examines the mechanisms of adsorption of anthocyanins from model aqueous solutions at pH values of 3, 6, and 9 by ion-exchange resins making the main component of heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes. This is the first report demonstrating that the pH of the internal solution of a KU-2-8 aromatic cation-exchange resin is 2-3 units lower than the pH of the external bathing anthocyanin-containing solution, and the pH of the internal solution of some anion-exchange resins with an aromatic (AV-17-8, AV-17-2P) or aliphatic (EDE-10P) matrix is 2-4 units higher than the pH of the external solution. This pH shift is caused by the Donnan exclusion of hydroxyl ions (in the KU-2-8 resin) or protons (in the AV-17-8, AV-17-2P, and EDE-10P resins). The most significant pH shift is observed for the EDE-10P resin, which has the highest ion-exchange capacity causing the highest Donnan exclusion. Due to the pH shift, the electric charge of anthocyanin inside an ion-exchange resin differs from its charge in the external solution. At pH 6, the external solution contains uncharged anthocyanin molecules. However, in the AV-17-8 and AV-17-2P resins, the anthocyanins are present as singly charged anions, while in the EDE-10P resin, they are in the form of doubly charged anions. Due to the electrostatic interactions of these anions with the positively charged fixed groups of anion-exchange resins, the adsorption capacities of AV-17-8, AV-17-2P, and EDE-10P were higher than expected. It was established that the electrostatic interactions of anthocyanins with the charged fixed groups increase the adsorption capacity of the aromatic resin by a factor of 1.8-2.5 compared to the adsorption caused by the π-π (stacking) interactions. These results provide new insights into the fouling mechanism of ion-exchange materials by polyphenols; they can help develop strategies for membrane cleaning and for extracting anthocyanins from juices and wine using ion-exchange resins and membranes.

Formation of peptide layers and adsorption mechanisms on a negatively charged cation-exchange membrane.

Polypeptide/solid charged surface interactions are omnipresent in the biomedical and biochemical fields. The present study aimed to understand the adsorption mechanisms of a cation-exchange membrane (CEM) by a well-characterized peptide mixture at three different pH values. Results demonstrated that fouling was important at pH 6, twice lower at pH 2 and negligible at pH 10. At pH 6, ALPMHIR and TKIPAVFK sequences firstly established electrostatic interactions with the negative CEM charges (SO3-) through their positive K and R residues (NH3+) creating a first nanolayer. Secondly, peptide/peptide interactions occurred through their respective hydrophobic residues creating a second nanolayer. At pH 2, VLVLDTDYK and IDALNENK sequences interacted only electrostatically and that in a lower proportion since at acidic pH values, most of the CEM charges would be protonated and uncharged (HSO3) and then limit the potential electrostatic interactions. In addition, the sequences of peptides interacting at pH 2 and 6 were different. This was explained by their structure in terms of residue nature and position in the sequence. At pH 10, no fouling was observed due to the lack of positive peptide charges. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first in-depth study concerning the fouling of CEMs by peptides from a complex mixture.