Process Design for the Production of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in an Enzyme Membrane Bioreactor: Interaction between Enzymatic Reaction and Membrane Filtration

Appropriately designed and operated enzyme membrane bioreactors (EMBRs) can fully utilize the activity of free, soluble enzymes while maximizing enzyme reusability and simultaneously removing the enzyme-free product in situ. A filtration model system was applied to determine critical EMBR design factors suitable for continuous enzymatic production of prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides. The filtration flux and separation efficiency were investigated in terms of the membrane cutoff rating. In addition, the influence of operational conditions on enzyme activity was also determined.