Adsorption Elution Research Articles

Functional epitope analysis of serum samples from transplant patients using LABScreen™, MagSort™, and cell-based adsorption elution reveals a deeper understanding of DQ antibody specificities

Functional epitope analysis of serum samples from transplant patients using LABScreen™, MagSort™, and cell-based adsorption elution reveals a deeper understanding of DQ antibody specificities

Loss of Blood Group Antigens in Haematolymphoid Malignancy: A Case Series from a Cancer Institute from North East India

Introduction: Altered expression of blood group antigens has been reported to be associated with both solid as well as haematological malignancies. This usually results from genetic mutation leading to incomplete as well as abnormal synthesis of antigens. Transitional loss of RBC antigens especially from ABO system is most commonly found in haematological malignancies causing blood group discrepancies and followed by reversal to its historical blood group during remission. Loss of A, B antigens has also been associated to play a role in lung, bladder and colon cancers. However not much data is available regarding haematological malignancies.Methods and Methodology: Retrospective review of blood group discrepancy (Forward group) in patients admitted for haematolymphoid malignancy at our institute was done during a period of 3.5 years (13/3/2020 till 12/9/2023). Blood grouping done by Column agglutination test were repeated by conventional tube method. Further confirmation of the group was done by saliva test and adsorption elution test as indicated. The detail history of the patient was collected from the hospital records and analysed. Results: A total of 7 patients presented with either loss or decrease in antigen expression. Most common diagnosis was Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) with FLT3 mutation and most common antigen affected was A. Conclusion: Haematolymphoid malignancies has been associated with loss of blood group antigens causing group discrepancy. Blood transfusion is an integral part of the supportive care in these patients. Hence, proper work up of blood group discrepancy cases should be done and recorded so as to prevent delay in blood transfusion.

Identification of antibody specificity using adsorption-elution studies with incompatible packed red cell unit

Abstract Antibody identification is usually performed by antibody identification panels which are specially selected red cells, at least one of which has a homozygous expression for all clinically significant blood group antigens facilitating agglutination upon reaction with specific antibodies even exhibiting dosage. In general, adsorption elution is used in determining antibody specificities in the background of multiple alloantibodies with or without autoantibodies. Herein, we present a classic case where a routine antibody identification panel failed to detect a solo antibody from patient serum, following which we tested the eluate obtained after adsorption with a cross-match incompatible packed red blood cell unit using the same antibody identification panel, which unveiled the Fyb antibody.

DEL phenotype in RhD-negative North Indian blood donors.

Rh-DEL type is not detected on routine serology and requires specialized adsorption elution methods which are laborious. Identifying the DEL phenotype in blood donors is important to prevent alloimmunization in transfusion recipients. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of DEL phenotype in RhD-negative North Indian blood donors and correlate the results with Rh Cc/Ee phenotype. In this prospective descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 205 blood donors with historic blood group RhD-negative were enrolled. All samples were subjected to blood grouping using a fully automated immunohematology analyzer and samples that typed as RhD negative by two different anti-D antisera were tested for Weak D. Weak D-negative samples were subjected to adsorption and elution for DEL phenotype. All samples were also tested for extended Rh phenotype for C/c and E/e antigens. Of the total 11934 donors during the study, 6.2% (n = 743) donors were RhD negative. Of the 205 donors enrolled in the study, two donor samples were serologically weak D positive. None of the remaining 203 donors tested positive for the DEL phenotype. The extended Rh phenotype performed for these donors showed that 6.83% (n = 14) donors were positive for RhC antigen and 1.46% (n = 3) were positive for Rh E antigen. Both weak D-positive donors were also positive for the Rh C antigen. The prevalence of DEL phenotype is low in the Indian population and studies with larger sample sizes are required to determine the effectiveness of routine C/E typing as a strategy to identify DEL-positive individuals.

Determining buffer conditions for downstream processing of VLP-based recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen using multimodal resins in bind-elute and flow-through purification modes

The difficulties in purification of VLP-based recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg) are mainly emerged from inefficient semi-purification step plus proteins physicochemical properties and these issues make the downstream processing (DSP) very lengthy and expensive. In this study, optimization of rHBsAg (recombinantly-expressed in Pichia pastoris) DSP was performed using selection of buffering conditions in the semi-purification step. In the semi-purification optimization step, up to 73% of the protein impurities were eliminated and the utmost increase in rHBsAg purity (ca. 3.6-fold) was achieved using 20 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.5. By using rHBsAg binding and nonbinding situations obtained from the response surface plot in design of experiments (DOE), additional bind-elute and flow-through purification mode experiments were conducted and rHBsAg with high purity (near 100%) and recovery (> 83%) was achieved. Following assessment of critical quality attributes (i.e., purity, particle size distribution, host cell DNA, host cell protein, secondary structures, specific activity and relative potency), it was indicated that the characteristics of rHBsAg purified by the new DSP were similar or superior to the ones obtained from conventional DSP. The purification performance of the resin was constantly retained (97–100%) and no significant resin damage took place after 10 adsorption–elution–cleaning cycles. The new DSP developed for production of rHBsAg in this study can substitute the conventional one with granting satisfactory target protein quality, long-lasting resin efficacy, shorter and less expensive process. This process may be also employable for purification of both non-VLP- and VLP- based target proteins expressed in the yeast.

Wastewater surveillance of Mpox virus in Baltimore

This study aimed to utilize wastewater surveillance for monitoring Mpox cases at a community level. Untreated wastewater samples were collected once a week from two wastewater treatment plants (A and B) in Baltimore City from July 27, 2022–September 22, 2022. The samples were concentrated via an adsorption–elution (AE) method and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) precipitation method followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Monkeypox virus (MPXV) was detected in 89 % (8/9) samples from WWTP A and 55 % (5/9) samples from WWTP B with at least one concentration method. Higher detection rate in samples concentrated with PEG precipitation compared to AE method was observed, indicating that PEG precipitation is a more effective virus concentration method for MPXV. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the detection of MPXV in wastewater in Baltimore. The results highlight that wastewater surveillance could be used as a complementary early warning tool for monitoring future Mpox outbreaks.

Dual Red Cell Alloimmunization with Anti-c and anti-E Antibodies

Background and Objectives: Alloimmunization can lead to difficulty in arranging compatible, antigen-negative blood units for the patients. Alloimmunization by coexisting “c” and “E” antibodies, though common, is frequently missed. Both “c” and “E” antigens are highly immunogenic and have the potential to cause hemolytic disease of newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions. The objective of this study is to discuss different clinical scenarios of concomitant and singular presence of anti-c and anti-E along with the diagnostic approach and transfusion management in resource-limited settings. Methods: Column agglutination gel technology in low ionic strength solution phase was used for initial antibody identification. Detailed immunohematological workup was done by the use of select cells (c+, E− and c−, E+) and adsorption elution studies using a commercially available acid elution kit. Results: Out of 16 patients, detailed immunohematological workup was available for 14 patients, whereas two patients were lost to follow-up. Among 14 patients, 12 had CCDee (R1R1) phenotype, whereas two patients had CcDee phenotype (possible R1r) with anti-E antibody. In 12 patients with R1R1 phenotype, 6/12 (50%) had dual coexisting anti-c and E, whereas 3/12 (25%) had only anti-c and 3/12 (25%) had only anti-E. In R1R1 patients having anti-E, coexisting anti-c was found in 6/9 (66.66%) of patients. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the use of both “c” and “E” negative red cells (R1R1) in R1R1 patients having either anti-c or anti-E. Thus, in India, there is a need to develop our own red cell panels having an adequate representation of indigenous antigens and phenotypes.

Human enteric bacteria and viruses in five wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

BACKGROUND AND AIM Monitoring effluents from wastewater treatment plants is important to preventing both environmental contamination and the spread of disease. We evaluated the occurrence of human enteric bacteria (faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli) and viruses (rotavirus and enterovirus) in the final effluents of five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. METHODS Human viruses were recovered from the effluent samples with the adsorption–elution method and detected with singleplex real-time RT–PCR assays. Culture based approach using a membrane filtration method, and the filtrates were then transferred the m-FC agar and E. coli chromogenic agar for isolation faecal coliform, and Escherichia coli. RESULTS Rotavirus was detected in several effluents samples, but no enterovirus was detected. At WWTP-C, rotavirus titre up to 10⁵ genome copies/L was observed and present in 41.7% of the samples. At WWTP-B, the virus was detected in 41.7% of samples, with viral titres up to 10³ genome copies/L. The virus was detected once at WWTP-E, in 9% of the samples analysed. The viral titres at WWTP-A were below the detection limit in all 25% of the 1.25 L samples in which the virus was detected. Rotavirus was not observed at WWTP-D. Faecal coliform bacteria and E. coli were detected in all the WWTPs, but no correlation was established between the enteric bacteria and viruses studied. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of rotavirus in effluent samples discharged into surface waters highlights the importance of assessing viral contamination in the water sources used for domestic water use. KEYWORDS Enteric bacteria, enteric virus, wastewater quality, Effluent

Identification of enteroviruses along Lake Victoria shoreline - a potential indicator of sewage pollution.

E n t e r i c v i r u s e s a r e m a i n l y t r a n s m i t t e d b y t h e f a e c a l - o r a l r o u t e a n d h a v e b e e n l i n k e d t o s e v e r a l d i s e a s e s i n c l u d i n g g a s t r o e n t e r i t i s a n d r e s p i r a t o r y i n f e c t i o n s . T h e i r p r e s e n c e i n s u r f a c e w a t e r s h a s b e e n exacerbated by p o l l u t i o n f r o m a v a r i e t y o f p o i n t s o u r c e s s u c h a s s e w a g e d i s c h a r g e . W e s t u d i e d t h e occurrence o f e n t e r o v i r u s e s i n w a t e r s a m p l e s f r o m L a k e V i c t o r i a i n K e n y a t o i n v e s t i g a t e i f t h e r e w a s a l i n k b e t w e e n s e w a g e p o l l u t i o n a n d d e t e c t i o n o f e n t e r o v i r u s e s ( E V s ) t o b u i l d a b a s e l i n e f o r a n enteric viruses monitoring platform for this region. We analysed 216 samples collected over 6 months from six different locations along the Homa Bay Pier. The six sampling locations comprised of three sites (P3, P5, P6) located <500 m from a local sewage treatment plant and pit latrines while three other sites (P1, P2, P4) were located at approximately 0.5 to 3 Km. EVs were concentrated using glass wool adsorption elution protocol and identified using the nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The odds ratio was performed to determine whether the location of the sources of sewage pollution near the lake was associated with the EVs contamination. Five out of 108 (5 %) samples collected from the sites (P3, P5 and P6 were EV positive, while 2 % (2/108) of samples from P1, P2 and P4 were EV positive. The presence of the EVs was associated with the distance from the possible sources of faecal contamination (odds ratio 20.28 and 4.86, confidence interval 2.42, and 0.95) for pit latrines and the sewage treatment plant respectively. The result from this study indicates that sewage discharge at the shoreline of Lake Victoria may have been the source of EVs contamination. Data from this study could significantly contribute to informing risk management on sewage pollution in Lake Victoria and it is important to continue monitoring this lake for potentially pathogenic enteric viruses.

Amidinothiourea‐linked covalent organic framework for the adsorption of heavy metal ions

AbstractFor the first time, a novel amidinothiourea‐linked covalent organic framework (COF) (TpAt) has been successfully synthesized by the condensation between 1,3,5‐triformylphloroglucinol and amidinothiourea via vacuum solvothermal reaction, and was further utilized for the adsorption of metal ions from aqueous solution. The effects of initial concentration, pH and contact time on the adsorption process were investigated. As a result, the TpAt COF showed maximum binding capacities as high as 95.44, 100.76 and 99.08 mg g–1 for Cr(III), Cd(II) and Cu(II) within 180 min at the initial concentration of 100 mg L–1, respectively. The isotherms of metal ions onto TpAt could be described by the Freundlich isotherm equation, and the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. The TpAt could be reused for more than five adsorption–elution cycles, whilst basically maintaining its original adsorption performance and the structural integrity of the COF layers. The robust adsorption efficiency can be attributed to the coordination between metal ions and N, O and S atoms in the TpAt framework. The TpAt COF represents an ideal candidate for the removal of heavy metal ions in environmental pollution treatment. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Selective Adsorption and Separation of Proteins by Ligand-Modified Nanofiber Fabric.

Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber fabric was modified by Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) to enhance the affinity of the fabric. Batch experiments were performed to study the nanofiber fabric’s bovine hemoglobin (BHb) adsorption capacity at different protein concentrations before and after modification. The maximum BHb adsorption capacity of the modified nanofiber fabric was 686 mg/g, which was much larger than the 58 mg/g of the original fabric. After that, the effect of feed concentration and permeation rate on the dynamic adsorption behaviors for BHb of the nanofiber fabric was investigated. The pH impact on BHb and bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was examined by static adsorption experiments of single protein solutions. The selective separation experiments of the BHb–BSA binary solution were carried out at the optimal pH value, and a high selectivity factor of 5.45 for BHb was achieved. Finally, the reusability of the nanofiber fabric was examined using three adsorption–elution cycle tests. This research demonstrated the potential of the CB-modified PVA nanofiber fabric in protein adsorption and selective separation.

Detection of Rare Blood Group Ax Phenotype in Blood Donor

Background: Karl Landsteiner discovered ABO blood group system in early 20th century, but still, uncertainty remains in immune-hematology while detection of ABO subgroups or weaker variants. The presence of weak subgroups in blood donor samples gives rises to discrepancy in forward (cell) and reverse (serum) grouping. Methods and Materials: We here report a case of the 'A' weak Rh 'D' Positive, Probably Ax Phenotype in a blood donor who came for replacement donation at our blood bank. The blood group discrepancy was resolved by using serological testing, Adsorption elution technique and saliva secretor study. Results: Blood grouping by the tube technique showed no reaction was shown with anti-B, a faint reaction with anti-A, 1+ agglutination with Anti-AB, and a significant reaction (4+) with anti-D and anti-H. The patient's serum showed the presence of anti-B antibody as well as anti-A1. Result for eluate showed microscopic agglutination (1+) with group A cells and a negative reaction with group B cells and saliva secretor study showed having only H substance. Conclusion: This report highlights the importance of cell and serum grouping in solving blood group discrepancy in blood donors. This rare phenotype in a donor is first of its kind reported from India.

Chain Entanglement of 2-Ethylhexyl Hydrogen-2-Ethylhexylphosphonate into Methacrylate-Grafted Nonwoven Fabrics for Applications in Separation and Recovery of Dy (III) and Nd (III) from Aqueous Solution.

A nonwoven fabric adsorbent loaded with 2-ethylhexyl hydrogen-2-ethylhexylphosphonate (EHEP) was developed for the separation and recovery of dysprosium (Dy) and neodymium (Nd) from an aqueous solution. The adsorbent was prepared by the radiation-induced graft polymerization of a methacrylate monomer with a long alkyl chain onto a nonwoven fabric and the subsequent loading of EHEP by hydrophobic interaction and chain entanglement between the alkyl chains. The adsorbent was evaluated by batch and column tests with a Dy (III) and Nd (III) aqueous solution. In the batch tests, the adsorbent showed high Dy (III) adsorptivity close to 25.0 mg/g but low Nd (III) adsorptivity below 1.0 mg/g, indicating that the adsorbent had high selective adsorption. In particular, the octadecyl methacrylate (OMA)-adsorbent showed adsorption stability in repeated tests. In the column tests, the OMA-adsorbent was also stable and showed high Dy (III) adsorptivity and high selectivity in repeated adsorption–elution circle tests. This result suggested that the OMA-adsorbent may be a promising adsorbent for the separation and recovery of Dy (III) and Nd (III) ions.

Macroporous epoxy-based monoliths for rapid quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by adsorption elution method optimized for qPCR

Pseudomonas aeruginosa contaminations in tap water systems have caused severe health problems in both hospital and household settings. To ensure fast and reliable detection, culture-independent methods are recommendable. However, the typically low cell number in water samples requires sample enrichment prior to analysis. Therefore, we developed and optimized an adsorption elution method using monolithic adsorption filtration and subsequent centrifugal ultrafiltration that can be combined with culture-independent detection methods. The principle of adsorption of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by hydrophobic and ionic interactions was studied in modified epoxy-based monoliths. Optimized conditions (5-L initial sample volume at pH 3 filtered for 30 min through hydrolyzed monoliths (MAF-OH) and eluted with beef extract glycine buffer at pH 9.5) achieved a recovery of 67.1 ± 1.2% and a concentration factor of 103. For the first time, we therefore present a culture-independent approach for rapid enrichment and subsequent molecular biological quantification of P. aeruginosa by qPCR from tap water samples by monolithic adsorption filtration. The total enrichment and quantification process takes 4 h. This work further stresses the versatility of the monolithic adsorption filtration and its possibilities as a concentration tool for culture-independent analytics of pathogenic bacteria in the environment.Graphical abstract

Clinical Profile and Severity of Hemolysis in Adult Patients of Primary Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Their Response to Steroid: A Prospective Cohort Study from Single Institution.

Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AIHA) has traditionally been classified based on the temperature sensitivity of the autoagglutinins as warm (WAIHA), cold (CAIHA) and mixed type. Autoagglutinin may be of IgG or IgM type. The present prospective study was conducted to evaluate the profile of clinical picture, severity of haemolysis, treatment response of steroid. This study on patients of adult primary AIHA was conducted by taking complete history followed by detail physical examination. Laboratory investigations were performed to establish haemolytic anaemia and to assess severity of haemolysis. Immunehematological work up including blood grouping, direct antiglobulin test (DAT), IAT, antibody screening, adsorption elution was performed to diagnose type of AIHA. All cases were followed up to assess the response to prednisolone. All the data were collected and analysed by SPSS 19. Out of 62 primary AIHA cases, female were affected more than male (41:21). WAIHA is most common type (42, 67.8%) followed by mixed (20.9%) and cold AIHA (11.3%). Severity of haemolysis showed significant correlation with the DAT strength and not with type of AIHA. (P < 0.05) On oral prednisolone, 22 cases attended complete remission, while relapse, drug dependency and partial remission was achieved in 13, 9, 3 cases respectively. Severity of haemolysis in AIHA is directly related with DAT strength. WAIHA is most common type and can be managed with oral prednisolone (cr 45.2%), without red cell transfusion in most of cases. Mixed type AIHA cases were presented mostly with severe haemolysis, with minimum therapeutic response to prednisolone and maximum relapse/drug dependency.

Evaluation of adsorbents and eluents for application in virus concentration and adsorption-desorption isotherms for coliphages

Adsorption elution technique is widely used for virus preconcentration before detection and quantification. However, the existing methods do not provide adequate recovery of viruses. DEAE cellulose, and Moringa oleifera seed protein functionalized rice husk ash (FaRHA) adsorbents were evaluated for the concentration of an enteric virus, Rotavirus A (RVA), an F-specific coliphage, MS2, and a somatic coliphage, SUSP2. Recovery with various adsorbent-eluent pairs was tested using initial coliphage concentration (Co) 104 PFU/mL. An eluent composed of 1.5 M NaCl, 2% Tween 80, and 0.05 M KH2PO4 (pH 9.2) yielded a high recovery of MS2 from DEAE cellulose (82%) and it also yielded high recovery of RVA. However, SUSP2 recovery from DEAE cellulose was ~61%, even after eluent optimization. An eluent comprised of glycine 3X broth, 1.5 M NaCl, 3% Tween 80, and 0.05 M KH2PO4 (pH 10.2) yielded high recovery of SUSP2 from FaRHA (88%). The maximum recovery of MS2 and RVA from FaRHA was lower (77% and 32%, respectively). The Freundlich model provided a good fit to the adsorption-desorption isotherms for the coliphages. For both the coliphages, the Freundlich capacity parameter, KF, was two orders of magnitude higher for DEAE cellulose compared to FaRHA. MS2 recovery from DEAE cellulose was minimally affected by antichaotrophic ions and dissolved organic matter, and higher sorption could be achieved over a wide pH range. For FaRHA, pH variation and various water matrices had a significant adverse effect on coliphage recovery. Thus, DEAE cellulose is a superior adsorbent for virus preconcentration from water samples.

Immunohematological work‐up, severity analysis and transfusion support in autoimmune hemolytic anemia patients

Background and ObjectiveAutoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is a clinical condition of reduced red cell survival by binding of antibodies (IgG/IgM) to self‐antigen and classified as warm, cold or mixed type. AIHA patients frequently have sufficient severity of anaemia as to require a blood transfusion. But little is known from India about the distribution and severity of AIHA. The objective of the study was to find out the type of AIHA, severity of haemolysis and the hindrances in transfusing these patients.Materials and methodsNinety‐four cases were included in the study. All the laboratory parameters (Hb, bilirubin, LDH, reticulocyte count) were analysed from the case sheet. All the immunohaematological workup like direct antiglobulin test, antibody screening/identification, elution–adsorption and compatibility testing were performed as per the American Association of Blood Banking (AABB) methods.ResultWarm AIHA was a more common type (61·4%) followed by mixed (23·7%) and cold type (14·9%). Fifty‐three (56%) cases were secondary AIHA. Females (68%) were more affected than males. The severity of haemolysis was found to be a significant correlation with the strength of DAT only, not with gender, type of AIHA or autoagglutinin. Thirty‐eight cases of AIHA required transfusion support, and best‐match blood units were issued to fourteen cases.ConclusionIn this region, the mixed type is more common after warm type and presented with very severe haemolysis. DAT strength directly related to the severity of haemolysis. AIHA patients with underlying alloantibody could be transfused corresponding antigen‐negative best‐match unit.

First detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater in North America: A study in Louisiana, USA

We investigated the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater samples in southern Louisiana, USA. Untreated and treated wastewater samples were collected on five occasions over a four-month period from January to April 2020. The wastewater samples were concentrated via ultrafiltration (Method A), and an adsorption–elution method using electronegative membranes (Method B). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 2 out of 15 wastewater samples using two reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays (CDC N1 and N2). None of the secondary treated and final effluent samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater in North America, including the USA. However, concentration methods and RT-qPCR assays need to be refined and validated to increase the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater.

ABO blood grouping discrepancies in the donor population

Background and ObjectivesABO discrepancies occur when the reactions in forward grouping are not corroborative to those in the reverse grouping due to weak subgroups of A and/or B, missing or weak ABO antibodies or unexpected alloantibodies. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ABO discrepancies in our donor population and to know the causes by using a standard classification.Materials and MethodsIt was a retrospective study on donor samples. For all the discrepant samples, the ABO and RhD grouping was repeated using tube technique. Adsorption–elution testing was done for detecting weak subgroups of A and B. Antibody screen (3‐cell) and identification (11‐cell) were done by gel technique (Bio‐Rad, Switzerland).ResultsWe detected 93 (0·064%) ABO discrepancies out of the total 144279 donor samples tested. The ABO discrepancies were due to weak anti‐B antibody (33/93; 35·5%), weak anti‐A antibody and weak subgroups of A (24 each; 25·8% each) and weak subgroups of B (5/93; 5·4%). Agglutination with O cells was observed in 7 (7·5%) samples at room temperature testing. The alloantibodies identified in these samples were anti‐M (5) and anti‐Lea in (1), while the remaining 1 sample was of ‘Bombay’ (Oh) phenotype. The autologous control was negative for all the samples.ConclusionThe prevalence of ABO discrepancies in our donor population is 0·064%.

Adsorption of Copper (Ii) Ion by Leucaena Leucocephala Pods

In this work, the efficiency of Leucaena leucocephala pods, an agricultural waste, to remove copper (Cu) ions in aqueous solution by adsorption. Batch mode experiments were carried out at 30 ◦C to study the influence of pH, contact time (t) and dosage on the adsorption of Cu by Leucaena leucocephala pods. The surface behaviour and the composition of the Leucaena leucocephala pods was characterized using pH of point of zero charge (pHPZC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is shown that Leucaena leucocephala pods adsorbent can effectively remove Cu from aqueous solutions. The best sorption results were obtained at pH 8.0 , 0.75 g dosage and within time 80 min. The FTIR studies indicated was existence of surface hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl groups. Adsorption method was used to successfully execute post adsorption elution of the loaded metal.