Mathematical modeling of maltose hydrolysis in different types of reactor.

A commercial enzyme Dextrozyme was tested as catalyst for maltose hydrolysis at two different temperatures: 40 and 65 degrees C at pH 5.5. Its operational stability was studied in different reactor types: batch, repetitive batch, fed-batch and continuously operated enzyme membrane reactor. Dextrozyme was more active at 65 degrees C, but operational stability decay was observed during the prolonged use in the reactor at this temperature. The reactor efficiencies were compared according to the volumetric productivity, biocatalyst productivity and enzyme consumption. The best reactor type according to the volumetric productivity for maltose hydrolysis is batch and the best reactor type according to the biocatalyst productivity and enzyme consumption is continuously operated enzyme membrane reactor. The mathematical model developed for the maltose hydrolysis in the different reactors was validated by the experiments at both temperatures. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics describing maltose hydrolysis was used.