Chemically activated collagen for amyloglucosidase attachment. Use in a helicoidal reactor

Amyloglucosidase was covalently bound to collagen sheets by a previously described method. The time of acidic methylation (first step of the collagen activation process) was important to obtain a good enzymatic surfacic activity. Homogeneity of the coupling procedure on the surface of collagen films was shown. Some properties of free enzyme were not affected after grafting; optimum pH and temperature, activation energy, and Km for maltose. Heat stability of the bound enzyme was slightly better; Km for soluble starch increased fivefold. In contrast, the maximal velocity in the presence of soluble starch remained four times that of maltose hydrolysis. Amyloglucosidase collagen membranes were used in a helicoidal reactor to produce glucose from maltose or soluble starch solutions. Tracer studies have shown that the helicoidal reactor behaved as a CSTR. The influence of maltose concentration and flow rate on conversion was studied and confirmed the absence of diffusional limitations for maltose. Recycling of concentrated solutions of maltose and soluble starch indicated strong diffusional restrictions for soluble starch. The catalytic support kept all its activity for 18 days continuous operation at 40 degrees C and 80% after 17 months storage at 4 degrees C.