Date of Graduation

5-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Chemistry & Biochemistry

Advisor/Mentor

Stenken, Julie

Committee Member/Reader

Sakon, Joshua

Committee Member/Second Reader

Jennings, Jackson

Committee Member/Third Reader

McIntosh, Matt

Abstract

Microdialysis is a sampling method based on the passive diffusion of solutes across a semi-permeable hollow-fiber membrane that is driven by a concentration gradient. The membrane has a defined molecular weight cutoff, which causes larger molecular solutes such as proteins with molecular weights of approximately 8-80 kDa to have low recoveries. The purpose of this research is to utilize ultrafiltration across the membrane through push-pull and vacuum ultrafiltration methods as a means to increase recovery of large molecular weight analyte. These experiments were carried out using Methyl Orange (MO), Fluorescein Isothiocyanate 4 kDa (FITC-4), and Fluorescein Isothiocyanate 40 kDa (FITC-40). In comparison to conventional microdialysis, using push-pull methods (1 uL/min push with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 uL/min pull, respectively) increased MO recovery up to 12%, FITC-4 recovery up to 47%, and FITC-40 recovery up to 37%. In comparison to conventional microdialysis, vacuum ultrafiltration methods (0 uL/min push with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 uL/min pull, respectively) increased MO recovery up to 30%, FITC-4 recovery up to 64%, and FITC-40 recovery up to 87%.

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