Polymeric Film Dialysis in Organic Solvent Media for Cleanup of Organic Contaminants

Abstract

Dialytic enrichment, using a nonpolar polymeric film or membrane, is proposed as a new approach for the separation of organic contaminants from fish lipid. Nonpolar organochlorine analytes diffuse from the fish lipid through a polyethylene membrane into cyclopentane. Separations of 48 h or less in duration afforded excellent recoveries for all analytes tested and removed 93% of the fish oil. Kinetics of membrane diffusion and possible controlling factors are elucidated for selected analytes and model compounds. Potential advantages of this technique over conventional lipld-removal methods such as gel permeation chromatography include simplicity, large sample capacity, reduced solvent requirements, and amenability to interfacing in-line with other enrichment modules.