Characterization and cleaning of anion-exchange membranes used in electrodialysis of polyphenol-containing food industry solutions; comparison with cation-exchange membranes

•Fouling/cleaning of homogeneous anion- and cation-exchange membranes are studied.•Polyphenols form colloidal particles in meso-/macropores, but do not enter micropores.•Colloidal particles encumber the pore space and block a part of functional groups.•Modification of microheterogeneous model well describing experiment is proposed.•Water-ethanol solution (pH = 3.5) allows an effective recovery of fouled membranes.