RESUMEN
The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) in plasma on cross-linked agarose beads entrapped activated charcoal (CAAC-I), cross-linked agarose coated activated charcoal (CAAC-II) and cross-linked agar beads entrapped attapulgite (CAA) was tested in this study. These adsorbents are intended to be applied to blood purification for eliminating MB from virucidal MB-phototrated plasma units. The experimental results indicated that the adsorption of MB in plasma on CAAC-I and CAA was quick and efficacious, but it was slower on CAAC-II. The relationship between the adsorption time and the adsorption rate was examined with reference to the plasma with a specific concentration of MB flowing over a certain volume of CAA. A flow rate of about 1 ml.min-1 through 10 ml CAA at 25 degrees C could eliminate more than 95% of the MB in 200 ml human plasma (1 mumol.L-1).