Membrane reactors biocatalytic

An important problem in emulsified organic-aqueous systems is that of scale-up, which is concerned with the realization of stable emulsions and the separation of phases after the reaction. The use of biphasic membrane systems that contain the enzyme and keep the two phases separated is likely to solve this problem. In the case of 5-naproxen an ee of 92% has been demonstrated without any decay in activity over a period of two weeks of continuous operation. A number of examples of biocatalytic membrane reactors have been provided by Giorno and Drioli (2000) and include the conversion of fumaric acid to L-aspartic acid, L-aspartic acid to L-alanine, and cortexolone to hydrocortisone and prednisolone. 

Giomo, L. and Drioli, E. (2000) Biocatalytic membrane reactors applications and perspectives. Trends in Biotechnology, 18, 339-349. 

Drioli, E. and Giorno, L. (1999) Biocatalytic Membrane Reactors Application in Biotechnology and the Pharmaceutical Industry, Taylor Francis Publisher, Padstow, UK. 

Applications of whole-cell biocatalytic membrane reactors, in the agro-food industry and in pharmaceutical and biomedical treatments are listed by Giorno and Drioli [3], Frazeres and Cabral [9] have reviewed the most important applications of enzyme membrane reactors such as hydrolysis of macromolecules, biotransformation of lipids, reactions with cofactors, synthesis of peptides, optical resolution of amino acids. Another widespread application of the membrane bioreactor is the wastewater treatment will be discussed in a separate section. 

The main applications of biocatalytic membrane reactors in the food sector include reduction of the viscosity of juices by hydrolyzing pectins, reduction of the lactose content in milk and whey by its conversion into digestible sugar, treatment of musts... 

FIGURE 6.30 Concepts of biocatalytic membrane reactors with (a) non-immobilized or (b) immobilized enzymes. 

Rios GM, Belleville MP, Paolucci D, and Sanchez J. Progress in enzymatic membrane reactors. J. Membr. Sci. 2004 242 189-196. Giomo L and Drioli E. Biocatalytic membrane reactors applications and perspectives. Tibtech 2000 18 339-349. 

Table 8.9, 8.10 and 8.11 show the industrial application of enzymes, the application of biocatalytic membrane reactors in the agro-food industry, and the appfication of biocatalytic membrane reactors in phaimaceutical and biomedical treatments, respectively. 

Biocatalytic membrane reactors combine selective mass transport with chemical reactions and the selective removal of products from the reaction site increases the conversion of product-inhibited or thermodynamically unfavorable reactions. Membrane reactors using biological catalysts can be used in production, processing and treatment operations. Recent advances towards environmentally friendly technologies make these membrane reactors pai ticulaiiy attractive because they do not require additives, are able to function at moderate temperatures and pressrue, and reduce the formation of by-products. The catalytic action of enzymes is extremely efficient and selective compared with chemical catalysts. Uiese enzymes demonstrate higher reaction rates, milder reaction conditions and greater stereospecificity. 

Table 8.10. Applications of biocatalytic membrane reactors in the agro-food industry [Refs in 410].

Giomo L and Driob E. Biocatalytic membrane reactors Applications and perspectives. Tibtech 2000 18 339-349. 

Jochems P, Satyawali Y, Diels L, Dejonghe W (2011), Enzyme immobilization on/in polymeric membranes status, challenges and perspectives in biocatalytic membrane reactors . Green Chem., 13,1609-1623. 

Biocatalytic membrane reactors for the removal of recalcitrant and emerging pollutants from wastewater... 

Abstract The potential fields of application of biocatalytic membrane reactors have widened considerably in recent years. Although biocatalytic membrane reactors, in general, are yet to achieve broad industrial application, in the not too far future they are expected to play a major role, not only for the production, transformation and valorization of raw materials but also for environmental remediations. This chapter comprehensively reviews the laboratory scale studies which demonstrate the potential of biocatalytic membrane reactors in wastewater treatment applications. Studies reported in the Mterature, however, serve as proof of concept only. Issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve scale-up of such systems have been discussed in this chapter. 

Biocatalytic membrane reactors reviewed in this chapter. 

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