HYDROLYSIS OF SOYBEAN PROTEINS BY A VORTEX FLOW FILTRATION MEMBRANE REACTOR WITH ASPERGILLUS-ORYZAE PROTEASES

Proteases consisting of various endo- and exo-proteases were prepared by homogenizing Aspergillus oryzae mycelia using a French-press. The h ydrolysis of 1% soybean proteins was carried out at 35 degrees C and p H 7.0. The back-pressure, flux and rotational speed of the reactor aff ected the hydrolysis rate and productivity. The reactor system could b e operated in a continuous process by replenishing the substrate solut ion, with the concentration adjusted to maintain 0.43% substrate in th e reaction vessel. Permeate flux gave a constant product as shown by m olecular weight distribution and amino acid composition.