Hydrolysis of supersaturated naringin solutions by free and immobilized naringinase

Hydrolysis of concentrated naringin solutions was easily carried out with free enzymes taking advantage of the stability of supersaturated solutions. To use immobilized enzymes for the same purpose, a supersaturated solution of the substrate, coming from a reservoir at 80-90 degrees C, was circulated through a reactor containing the catalyst at 40 or 50 degrees C and sent again to the reservoir. The action of alpha-rhamnosidase was faster in supersaturated solution than in suspensions of naringin, and column clogging and other problems of handling solid substrate and products were avoided. At high concentration the reaction was inhibited by the product rhamnose.