Effect of polyphenols-membrane interactions on the performance of membrane-based processes. A review

Polyphenols have received a great attention in the last years due to growing evidence of their health-promoting activities and antioxidant characteristics. In this review, the effect of polyphenols-membrane interactions, phenolic-phenolic interactions or interactions with feed components on the performance of polymeric and ceramic membranes employed for separating, purifying and concentrating phenolic compounds from their original sources is critically analysed. These interactions, as well as solution effects on the membrane, solute/membrane properties and operating conditions play a key role on the removal efficiency and/or permeation of phenolic compounds through membranes. An overview on the available computational studies concerning polyphenols-membrane interactions is also presented and discussed with the aim of clarifying the target interactions at molecular scale very difficult to obtain experimentally.