A NOVEL BIOREACTOR OPERATING UNDER NONISOTHERMAL CONDITIONS

Activity of the beta-galactosidase enzyme, immobilized on a nylon memb rane, has been assessed in a bioreactor in which the two half-cells, m aintained at different temperatures, are filled with substrate solutio ns coming from and ending in the same reservoir. The experimental resu lts demonstrate that the presence of temperature gradients across the catalytic membrane increases the efficiency of the bioreactor, making it suitable for practical applications. The solution filling the appar atus during the treatment remains unchanged in all components, differe nt from the substrate and its products, while the biocatalyst works at rates higher than those corresponding to comparable isothermal condit ions. The production times in biotechnological processes employing imm obilized enzymes are reduced proportionally with respect to the applie d transmembrane temperature differences.