Hydrolysis of lactose in whey

US4622300A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Rohm GmbH Chemische Fabrik · DE

Inventors

• Hans Ottofrickenstein · Zwingenberg, DE
• Hermann Plainer · Reinheim, DE
• Bruno Sprossler · Roßdorf, DE
• Helmut Uhlig · Roßdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 1984
• Grant date: Nov 11, 1986
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M47/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and reactor are disclosed for the continuous treatment of a turbid liquid with a granular treating agent placed in a fixed bed through which the liquid flows. Preferably, the liquid is whey and the treating agent is lactase immobilized on support particles, and treatment involves hydrolysis of lactose in the whey. During treatment, the flow of whey through the fixed bed is periodically interrupted and a flow of cleansing liquid is passed through the fixed bed countercurrent to the flow of whey. The flow of cleansing liquid is under sufficient hydrostatic pressure to press the fixed bed against moving fragmentation devices to separate and fluidize the support particles into a fluidized bed whereby the support particles containing immobilized lactase are cleansed by removing material deposited thereon from the whey.