Modeling of penicillin G hydrolysis to 6-APA in an immobilized enzyme-ion exchange system

A composite system of an immobilized enzyme reactor combined with an ion exchange column was employed for hydrolysis of penicillin G to 6-APA with continuous removal of PAA. In this study, a mathematical model of penicillin G hydrolysis to 6-APA in the composite system was developed based on the compartment model, the profile of concentration in the ion exchange column, and the enzyme kinetics in the immobilized enzyme reactor. After checking the simulation values and experimental data, the effects of the resin volume, the flow rate, and the switching time on the time required to reach the desired conversion rate was also examined by computer simulation.