Effects of co-immobilization of pectinase and amylase on ultrafiltration of apple juice simulate

In view of its possible application in apple juice clarification, the potential of co-immobilized pectinase/amylase by physical adsorption on a polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow fiber was examined. Solutions containing different concentrations of pectin and starch were used. The effect of various operational parameters on the production of reducing compounds, mainly galacturonic acid and maltose, was investigated. Results indicated that relative permeate flux, during ultrafiltration of starch pectin solutions, was up to 35% higher when commercial pectinase and amylase were co-immobilized on a hollow fiber membrane. Although the concentration of reaction products increased up to 50% with the pectin concentration, the same was not verified when the starch content changed from 3.85 to 5.00 mg/mL. However, the reference permeate flux was improved when starch was added to substrate, independently of its concentration. Considering the size of an average starch granule, this increase in permeate flux was attributed to the removal of pectin gel by dragging. Permeate fluxes were comparable for both batch and permeate recycling operations.