Preparation and performance of chitosan encapsulated activated charcoal (ACCB) adsorbents for small molecules.

A technique is described to encapsulate activated charcoal for haemoperfusion to be used in an artificial liver support. Activated charcoal was encapsulated within chitosan matrix (ACCB) in different concentrations, and was used as the supports for perfusion of a mixture of solutes, having molecular weight ranges from 60 to 69,000; under a flow rate of 8 ml/min. It seems the ACCB may be a good adsorbent system for the removal of toxic uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, etc., from solutions; while larger molecules such as albumin are adsorbed less. The encapsulated charcoal did not leach out from the matrix during perfusion, and the system may be useful for detoxification of blood. The haemolytic potential of ACCB has been compatible with polystyrene control tubes. However, further studies are needed to determine their behaviour under clinical conditions.