Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol.44, No.5, 557-562, 1994
Symmetrical Enzyme Distribution in Asymmetric UF Polysulfone Membranes
Invertase as well as as amyloglucosidase were immobilized within asymmetyric ultrafiltration membranes that were prepared from polysulfone or homogeneously modified polysulfone. The chemical modification was carried out by sulfonation and halomethylation. This additional change of the surface properties of the capillaries within the membrane offers the possibilities for various types of enzyme fixation, namely adsorption, charge interactions, or covalent bonding. By variation of the immobilization conditions the distribution of the enzyme could be adjusted over the membrane’s cross-section. At a distinct enzyme concentration in the loading solution a homogeneous enzyme distribution within the membrane could be verified. This was shown by diffusion experiments. Under ultrafiltration conditions using a solution that contains membrane-impermeable macromolecules as well as a membrane-permeable solute like saccharose the residence time within the membrane was increased due to gel formation atop the membrane yet the kinetic was not affected. The nonpermeable soluble starch was not reacted by the amyloglucosidase membrane, indicating that the skin layer was free of enzymes.
Keywords:ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES