Macroporous PHEMA-based cryogel discs for bilirubin removal.

A novel N-methacryloyl-L-tryptophan methyl ester (MATrp) containing poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel (PHEMATrp) disc was prepared for removal of bilirubin (BR) out of human plasma. PHEMATrp cryogel disc was produced by bulk polymerization, with high gelation yield up to 92% and characterized by swelling tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, Brunauer- Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, contact angle measurements and surface energy calculations. BR adsorption studies were performed in a batch system, and the maximum BR adsorption capacity was found as 22.2 mg/g cryogel disc.