Cross-flow Filtration through Ceramic Membranes of Enzymes and Degradation Products from Enzymatic Peeling of Satsuma Mandarin Segments

Abstract

The present work evaluates the possibility of using cross-flow filtration to recover enzymatic activities from commercial enzymes used for peeling mandarin segments. Two ceramic membranes of different pore size and molecular weight cut-off were assayed. The membrane of 40 kDa molecular weight cut-off provided better separation of enzymes and carbohydrates than the membrane of 0.14 μm pore size, since the enzymes were readily retained in the retentate fraction, while carbohydrates easily passed into the permeate fraction. After separation, both fractions (enzymes and carbohydrates) could be further used.