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Application of encapsulated enzyme as a continuous packed-bed reactor
M Iso1, T Shirahase, S Hanamura
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan.
Journal of Microencapsulation
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Microencapsulated lipase in polystyrene-styrene-butadiene rubber (PS-SBR) demonstrates excellent longevity and mechanical strength in a continuous reactor. This enzyme immobilization is commercially viable for catalyzing reactions with small substrates.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Previous work established microencapsulation of lipase using a (w/o)/w emulsion with a PS-SBR wall.
- The enzyme's catalytic activity and reaction kinetics (Michaelis-Menten) were modeled, considering mass transfer and pH changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of microencapsulated lipase in a continuous tubular (packed column) reactor.
- To assess the longevity and mechanical stability of the microcapsules under operational conditions.
Main Methods:
- Application of microcapsules in a packed column reactor system.
- Simulation of reactor behavior using a model derived for batch reactors.
- Monitoring enzyme leakage, operational stability, and catalytic activity over several months.
Main Results:
- Microcapsules exhibited significant longevity and mechanical strength in the continuous reactor.
- The batch reactor model accurately predicted performance in the packed column, indicating no mass transfer resistance.
- No enzyme leakage was detected after months of use across various temperatures (293-323 K) and repeated pH adjustments.
Conclusions:
- The microencapsulated lipase is highly stable and effective in a continuous packed column reactor.
- The system demonstrates commercial feasibility for enzyme catalysis of substrates that can permeate the microcapsule wall.
- The findings confirm the robustness and reusability of the immobilized enzyme for industrial applications.