Does activated carbon adsorb amino acids?

Miami Reef · May 22, 2023

Amino acids that are dosed to the tank, that is.

Thanks in advance.

KrisReef · May 22, 2023

I can’t see why it would not.

biom · May 23, 2023

Amino acids in water (at least in freshwater) have low interactions with activated carbon especially in pH higher than 7. This interaction is further weakened due to the significant energy of the hydrogen bonding of the amino acid molecule with water molecules. So some amount of the aminoacids will be bonded to the activated carbon, but having in mind small AA amounts usually dosed and the amount of GAC used in our tanks I dont think this removal will be significant.

Makara23 · May 23, 2023

biom said:
Amino acids in water (at least in freshwater) have low interactions with activated carbon especially in pH higher than 7. This interaction is further weakened due to the significant energy of the hydrogen bonding of the amino acid molecule with water molecules. So some amount of the aminoacids will be bonded to the activated carbon, but having in mind small AA amounts usually dosed and the amount of GAC used in our tanks I dont think this removal will be significant.

Excellent answer, thank you for the explanation. I'm not doubting you, but can @Randy Holmes-Farley also verify if this chemistry explanation also holds true for saltwater environment?

And on a similar note, does activated carbon bind trace elements from salt mixes?

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2023

Those amino acids with larger hydrophobic groups, such as phenylalanine, will bind to GAC. Fully polar ones such as glycine will not bind to GAC in seawater.

Miami Reef · May 23, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Those amino acids with larger hydrophobic groups, such as phenylalanine, will bind to GAC. Fully polar ones such as glycine will not bind to GAC in seawater.

How about aspartic acid?