Construction of Controllable Enzyme Membrane Reactors for Starch Sugar Production

Starch sugars are widely used in various fields, and precise control of their molecular weight may further enhance their application value. This study developed a controllable pore-size enzyme membrane reactor (EMR) to produce starch sugars with target molecular weight. Firstly, polyimide membranes were modified with multiamino compounds to create active sites for subsequent enzyme immobilization. The sieving performance of these modified membranes was analyzed using polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weights. Next, glutaraldehyde was grafted onto the membrane surface to provide active sites for starch enzyme immobilization. By adjusting the pore size of the EMR, controlled production of starch sugars with specific molecular weights was achieved. Finally, the effects of different operating pressures and flow rates on the sugar production efficiency of the EMR were investigated. This study not only provides guidance for the controlled production of starch sugars but also offers insights into the controllable preparation of EMRs.