Tag Archives: Endotoxin Filter

What are Endotoxin Filters?

Endotoxins are very small molecules of lipopolysaccharide that exist on the cell wall of a bacteria called Gram-negative. Bacterial endotoxins combine with different cellular material and create an endotoxin complex. Before you know about what are endotoxin filters, you should understand why are endotoxins harmful and how they can be removed. This article will give you all the relevant information. So, read along and discover the answers to all your queries related to endotoxin filters.

Why are endotoxins harmful?

Endotoxins are pyrogenic. They pose a serious threat to the patients who are administered intramuscular and intravenous preparations. Endotoxins might contaminate different biologic products either through water or via raw materials like media, equipment, additives, sera, excipients, container closure, and expression systems, etc.

What are the different methods of removing endotoxin?

There are many methods to remove endotoxins. Some of them are ultrafiltration, chromatography, electrophoresis, etc. They can also be removed by using appropriate detergents.

How do endotoxin filters help the process of ultrafiltration?

The molecules of endotoxin build up micelles in aqueous solutions. They can be removed from such solutions through the process of filtration. This is where endotoxin filters are used. During ultrafiltration, the endotoxins are eliminated by using a super-fine filter. Such a filter blocks molecules even greater than 10, 000 Daltons. This process works very well along with a filter of 0.1 μm.

The process of ultrafiltration might be effective in the case of water solutions. It, however, has little effect on the removal of endotoxins in protein solutions. Though ultrafiltration does not involve much of an expense, it cannot be treated as a reliable method of removing endotoxins.

How does endotoxin filters remove endotoxins?

Endotoxin filters are chemically modified. They carry a positive charge and apply them to eliminate endotoxins through charge interactions. The charge character of such filters is titrated potentiometrically. One can achieve an optimized filter performance by following the laboratory instructions framed for endotoxins removal.

How to find the best endotoxin filters?

The most effective endotoxin filters would be positively charged. They would also come equipped with a hydrophilic membrane which will remove the endotoxins completely from different solutions. Endotoxin filters that have amine charged, cross-linked quaternized surfaces are highly recommended. This is important for the removal of endotoxins from water, process feedstreams, and buffers, even under selected conditions.

Apart from this, choose an endotoxin filter that filters out even the smallest particulates. It should meet either the ISO 11663 or AAMI or ANSI standards. It should also come with a clearance of FDA 510 (k). While some filters are designed for minimal flow disruptions, others are perfect in case of low flow situations. Look for a filter that is sturdy, durable, and has a life span of around 12 months.

Endotoxins are harmful components. Therefore, the earlier they are eliminated from the solutions, the better the results will be. Now that you know a lot about endotoxin and its filters, you know what to look for when buying a properly functional filter.

 

Nephros Inc. Also Offers Following Services :

Lead Filters

Hemodiafiltration Machine

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Nephros Inc.
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Phone: (201) 343-5202