Supported ultrafiltration (UF) membranes based on polyacrylonitrile were prepared by phase inversion method using nonwoven polyester fabric as support with different origin. The membrane preparation parameters, including dope solution composition and casting conditions, were kept same while changing the support fabric. Various analyses performed, viz. water flux, protein rejection, porosity, and membrane compaction indicated that the support used for UF membrane preparation affects the membrane properties to a great extent, and a right support need to be chosen for a preparation of membrane with desired properties. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.