Immobilized beta-galactosidase on microfluidic fiber reactor for lactulose production
An innovative microfluidic fiber reactor utilizing immobilized beta-galactosidase for efficient continuous lactose hydrolysis and lactulose synthesis, offering reduced purification costs and enzyme reusability.
Overview
Visionary Fiber Technologies (VFT) presents a cutting-edge solution for lactulose production through the use of their immobilized beta-galactosidase Fiber Reactor. This reactor leverages micrometer diameter fibers to create a high surface area, enabling rapid lactose hydrolysis and subsequent lactulose synthesis. By immobilizing enzymes on the fiber surface, the reactor achieves a high biocatalyst to substrate ratio, facilitating continuous operation and reducing the need for costly purification associated with traditional methods.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Microfluidic fiber technology: Utilizes fibers of 20-500µm diameter to form microchannels for intimate thin film mixing.
- Enzyme immobilization: Beta-galactosidase is immobilized on the fibers, allowing for continuous hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose.
- Lactulose synthesis: The addition of fructose enables trans-galactosylation, producing lactulose.
- Reusability: Unlike packed bed reactors, the immobilized enzyme can be reapplied, enhancing the reactor's lifespan.
- Optimizable conditions: Variables such as enzyme selection, pH, temperature, and reactor configuration are customizable to maximize efficiency.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 2, the technology is in a developmental phase, with plans to advance to TRL 4 and potentially TRL 5 following lab trials and optimization of production conditions over a 9-month period.
About Visionary Fiber Technologies
Visionary Fiber Technologies (VFT) is a technology company that develops and commercializes patented fiber reactor systems for industrial liquid-liquid and liquid-solid processing. By utilizing massive microfluidic array technology, the company's proprietary Fiber Reactor platform enables high-throughput, continuous flow operations that perform chemical reactions and separations simultaneously. This approach allows for precise control over interfacial turbulence without the need for active mixing or traditional centrifugation, offering a scalable, tunable, and more energy-efficient alternative to conventional refining equipment. The technology is designed to replace inefficient methods in sectors such as specialty chemicals, water treatment, and food processing.
The company's innovations provide significant operational advantages to partners by reducing reagent usage, improving product yields, and lowering overall operating expenses. VFT has successfully deployed its solutions in the renewable fuels industry to purify Distillers Corn Oil for feedstock use, and it is actively advancing applications for critical mineral extraction and rare earth processing. By simplifying complex refining workflows and eliminating bottlenecks inherent in traditional industrial processes, VFT helps its customers achieve higher purity standards and sustainable production, supported by ongoing research and collaborative development efforts.
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