A dynamic membrane reactor with immobilized alpha-chymotrypsin for continuous kyotorphin synthesis in organic media

alpha-Chymotrypsin was covalently attached to an alpha-alumina ultrafiltrat ion membrane coated with an inert protein. This derivative was used as cata lyst for the continuous kinetically controlled synthesis of kyotorphin in b oth membrane and packed bed reactors, using aqueous (water/dimethyl sulfoxi de, 60:40, v/v) and nearly-dry (hexane/ethanol/water, 57:40:3, by vol.) org anic media, respectively. In both media, the synthetic activity and operati onal stability of the enzyme-membrane derivative was compared with an adsor bed alpha-chymotrypsin Celite derivative, being 2-times and 4-times respect ively, higher than the Celite one. The enzyme-membrane derivative showed ha lf-life times higher than 36 days, with a selectivity near to 100%.