Copper binding and release by immobilized transferrin: A new approach to heavy metal removal and recovery

Response of plasma copper, ceruloplasmin, iron and ions in carp, Cyprinus carpio to waterborne copper ion and nanoparticle exposure

In this study, Cyprinus carpio was exposed to 0.25mgL(-1) copper as either copper sulfate (CuSO4) or copper oxide nanoparticles (nano-Cu), and 25mgL(-1) copper as nano-Cu for 14days. CuSO4 and high concentration of nano-Cu led to a significant increase in plasma total copper levels. Plasma free copper levels increased significantly in all copper-exposed treatments. Except for low concentration of nano-Cu after 7 and 14days, copper exposure generally led to a significant decrease in plasma ceruloplasmin levels. Plasma iron levels increased significantly in CuSO4 (all times) and nano-Cu (7th and 14th days) treatments. A significant elevation in plasma total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was observed after 3days in the fish exposed to low concentration nano-Cu, and after 14days in all copper-exposed treatments. Transferrin saturation (TSA) ratio showed significant increase in CuSO4 (3rd and 7th days) and the high concentration nano-Cu (7th day) treatments. Decrease in plasma chloride (7th and 14th days) and sodium (14th days) was observed in CuSO4 treatment. In conclusion, the results suggest that ionic copper is mainly absorbed via fish gill, whereas, nano-copper are more likely absorbed via gut. Also, data suggest that ionic copper has more adverse effects on the examined plasma biochemical characteristics compared to the equivalent nano-copper concentration, which may be due to the lower copper absorption by fish in the nano-copper suspension.

Evaluation of ovotransferrin-matrix metal-affinity metalloprotein chromatography for Pu(IV) separations

Metal-Affinity metalloprotein chromatography has been suggested to have potential for selectively removing actinides from solution. To evaluate this potential, characterization of Pu(IV) and Fe(III) binding to an ovotransferrin-Sepharose™ 4B matrix, with oxalate and carbonate synergistic anions, was performed. Metal binding capacity was determined for metal concentrations ranging from 2×10-6 to 1×10-3M Fe(III) and 2.9×10-5 to 2.6×10-4M Pu(IV), where both metals were added as a solution of 10:1 nitrilotriacetic acid:metal. Metal binding capacity was also determined over the pH range 3.0 to 9.2. The metal binding properties of the immobilized ovotransferrin were found to differ from those reported for free-protein studies. Distribution coefficients were low: for metal solution concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.10, and 0.20mM, coefficients were 540, 180, 23, and 12mL/g for Fe(III) and 20, 12, 7.2, and 6.0mL/g for Pu(IV), respectively. The capacity of the material was less dependent on pH than expected, varying by only two μmoles metal/g matrix for both Fe(III) and Pu(IV) over the pH range of 4.2 to 9.5. This study illustrates limitations of metalloprotein chromatography for Pu(IV) separation.