Biosafe, rapid, and ultrahigh-capacity endotoxin purification in blood by a sustainable and recyclable MOF-functionalized chitin microsphere adsorbent

Sepsis is responsible for approximately 5.3 million deaths globally each year. Here, we constructed hierarchical chitin microspheres loaded with MOF-919 (Ch/metal–organic frameworks [MOFs]) for the rapid and efficient removal of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in complex blood environments. Furthermore, abundant active sites on MOF-919(Sc) also enable a record-high adsorption capacity of 9.56 mg/g in biomass-based adsorbents due to the coordination interactions between endotoxin and MOF-919(Sc). The LPS level of sepsis rabbits was less than 2 EU/mL (clearance rate >95%) after 90-min hemoperfusion, showing no adverse effect on the rabbit organs. Additionally, compared to the commonly used LPS scrubber Toraymyxin (polymethyl methacrylate), the chitin adsorbent is significantly more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The preparation strategy for hierarchical porous microspheres offers notable advantages in designability, recyclability, and renewability, providing a new approach to sepsis treatment and promising prospects for the biomedical application of sustainable biomass materials.