Acid-Base Cascades in Zeotype Single Crystal for Sugar Conversion

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The production of fructose syrup from glucose is vital for the food industry and biorefining.
• Efficient chemical catalysis is needed for high-concentration glucose isomerization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel single-crystal catalyst for glucose isomerization.
• To achieve high fructose production yields from concentrated glucose solutions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a single-crystal zeolite catalyst with incorporated indium via protective desilication.
• Isomerization of high-concentration glucose (up to 33 wt%) in methanol.
• Hydrolysis of glucose using water to produce fructose.

Main Results:

• Achieved 54.9% fructose production with 89.1% selectivity and 93.3% sugar recovery.
• Demonstrated the highest reported isomerization rate at the highest glucose concentration.
• Indium catalyzed isomerization and selective glycosidation, minimizing degradation and side reactions.

Conclusions:

• The developed indium-integrated zeolite catalyst enables efficient, high-concentration glucose isomerization.
• This study advances industrial practices for chemically catalyzed glucose isomerization.
• The catalyst's intelligent cooperation minimizes degradation and enhances fructose syrup production.