Membrane filtration enhanced by magnetic field for reducing endotoxin from dialysis water

This study investigates the impact of magnetic field-assisted filtration on endotoxin reduction in dialysis water, focusing on the efficacy of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes. The starting material was synthetic water with a known amount of endotoxin (0.48 EU/ml). The experiment was conducted in a small-lab-scale unit, likely to test and optimize the purification method before large-scale application. Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay is a standard test used to detect and quantify endotoxin levels in liquids. The study found that all treatment strategies effectively reduced endotoxin levels, with the best treatment being a third hybrid treatment involving magnetic field, UF, and NF exposure. This kind of treatment reduced the endotoxin from 0.169 ± 0.09 EU/ml to 0.06 ± 0.06 EU/ml at an exposure time of 20 min for a magnetic field. The integration of magnetically treated water in dialysis treatment plants holds promise for enhancing the quality of dialysis fluid and aligning with international standards. By employing physical methods like magnetic treatment, facilities can address concerns surrounding water purity in dialysis, which is crucial for patient safety and treatment effectiveness.