Pressure-driven enzyme-coupled membranes
OwnerHarry P. Gregorinventor
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Abstract
Pressure-driven enzyme-coupled membranes are prepared starting with a membrane filter having pores of appropriate, molecular dimensions and composed of a polymeric matrix, the activation of that matrix (where necessary) under pressure-driven conditions to impart to it appropriate groups capable of coupling to enzymes and similar substances of biological activity under pressure-driven conditions, and then employing this system under pressure-driven conditions to effect conversion processes which include the use of the coupled enzymes as the catalysts.
Claims8
A process for effecting an enzymatic reaction comprising forcing a solution of an activating agent through a homoporous ultrafiltration membrane under a pressure equivalent to at least about 30 psig, thereby to form activated sites, the membrane having pores of about 15 to 200 Angstroms in diameter, forcing a solution of an enzyme through said membrane under a pressure equivalent to at least about 10 psig, the activated sites being chemically reactive with said enzyme thereby chemically to couple said enzyme to said membrane, and forcing a substrate solution through said membrane under a pressure equivalent to at least about 5 psig, said substrate solution containing a material which is capable of being converted by said enzyme, whereby said enzyme-coupled membrane effects said enzymatic conversion of said material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.