CONTINUOUS ENZYMATIC-HYDROLYSIS OF MILK CASEIN IN AN AUTOMATIC VORTEXFLOW FILTRATION SYSTEM

In order to obtain casein peptides at higher productivity, a filtratio n membrane automatic bioreactor has been developed. Total solid concen tration of reaction solution in a reaction vessel was controlled autom atically by adding substrate and deionized water to it. As the results , it was possible to operate for 24 hours with a constant permeate Bur . However, when operated during 80 hours under the concentration ratio of substrate to enzyme : 5.0%/1.0% at an operation pressure of 150 kP a, the lowering of 8.1% of permeate flux was finally Pound. In general , permeate flux decreased with an increase in substrate concentration and increased with an increase in operation pressure. Total membrane r esistance, R (m(-1)) was represented by the following equation, R=4.47 +0.15 C, where 4.47 was membrane resistance of itself and C was total solid concentration (%) of the reaction solution at 45 degrees C, Thes e results suggested that the decrease in enzyme activity and the accum ulation of peptide which could not be further hydrolyzed and the incre ase in membrane resistance reduced the permeate flux after long operat ion period of up to 80 hours.