An approach to membrane fouling characterization by confocal scanning laser microscopy

Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) is an optical microscopic technique that, among other advantages, can provide high-resolution images from different depths of a three-dimensional object, therefore rendering invasive techniques unnecessary for sample preparation. CSLM in fluorescence mode is a powerful technique in biological applications and in the microscopy of food materials. The main goal of the present study is to develop the appropriate strategies so that CSLM can be used for membrane fouling characterization during the filtration of protein solutions. Single and binary solutions of BSA–fluorescein and ovalbumin–Texas red conjugates were filtered using 0.8 μm polycarbonate membranes. Samples of the membranes at the end of the filtration runs were analyzed by CSLM. A standardized protocol for sample analysis by CSLM was developed and applied in this study. The most significant results show that CSLM can be used to visualize BSA–fluorescein and ovalbumin–Texas red conjugates on top of and inside the membranes, and that they can be distinguished when they jointly foul the membrane. Finally, if the appropriate sectioning is applied a 3D reconstruction of the membrane and the adsorbed/deposited protein can be obtained which give information on the fouling morphology.