Separation of fructose from a mixture of sugars using supported liquid membranes

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using supported liquid membranes to extract fructose from a mixture of sugars con tained in a fermentation broth. The membrane consisted of a microporous pol ypropylene support impregnated with a solution of a phenylboronic acid deri vative in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether. Transport through a Bat sheet membrane was studied as a function of carrier and feed concentration. A hollow fibe r system was also examined, and the effects of the carrier and feed concent rations, as well as the flow rate through the fiber lumen, on the glucose a nd fructose fluxes and fructose selectivity were studied. The hollow fiber system is more stable than the Bat sheet supported liquid membrane, and pro duces higher fructose selectivities using a lower carrier concentration. Th e hollow fiber supported liquid membrane is able to remove fructose from a fermentation broth, although the membrane flux and long term stability need further improvement. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.