EFFECTS OF PECTINASE IMMOBILIZATION DURING HOLLOW FIBER ULTRAFILTRATION OF APPLE JUICE

Abstract

The immobilization of commercial pectinases by physical adsorption on hollow fiber ultrafiltration (HFUF) membranes was studied in view of its possible application in fruit juice clarification. The optimal pH during immobilization and washing was investigated, as well as the effects of enzyme and pectin concentrations and retentate flow on the operation. Results indicated that permeate flux was not initially increased when pectin solution or apple juice was ultrafiltred through pectinase immobilized on HFUF membranes. However, enzyme immobilization greatly extended the membrane operation, by keeping permeate flux constant during prolonged periods at a reasonable yield.