Hydrolysis and large scale ultrafiltration study of alfalfa protein concentrate enzymatic hydrolysate

Batch enzymatic hydrolysis of insoluble Alfalfa Protein Concentrate by Delvolase was carried out at laboratory and at pilot-plant scale coupled to an ultrafiltration reactor with a mineral tubular membrane. Parametric studies were carried out on the batch system to determine the biochemical and hydrodynamical optimum conditions. The hydrolysis conditions selected were 40 degrees C, pH 9.5, initial substrate level 3 g protein/100 g and the enzyme substrate ratio 152 U/g protein. After 5 h of hydrolysis, 96% of the total amount of initial nitrogen was solubilized. The ultrafiltration conditions selected were a 10 000 Nominal Molecular Weight Cut-Off, a transmembrane pressure of 1.5 bar, a flux velocity of 0.8 m/s. Fifty percent of the initial nitrogen appeared in the permeate.