ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the structures and properties of membranes, flow management, and membrane surface adsorption characteristics, as these related to viruses. Membranes are used for concentrating and purifying viruses in two principal ways. First, in sequential adsorption and elution steps controlled by adjustment of the chemical environment and, second, in concentration by ultrafiltration through a membrane that rejects viruses without adsorbing them. Increase in temperature, in general, increases adsorption suggesting, as Zittle has indicated, a degree of unfolding of the protein on the surface of the adsorbent because this type of reaction is endothermic. Membrane filter adsorption/elution has had the greatest use thus far in detecting viruses in water because it is adaptable to recovering viruses from large quantities of drinking water, turbid waters, or waters containing large quantities of organics, and can be used in the field. Elution requires a significant change in the chemical environment.
