Use of the Exponential Model of Enzyme Decay to Plan a Strategy for Enzymatic Batch Reactions and to Assess the Industrial Applicability of Immobilised Enzyme Preparations

This paper is concerned with the development of a model to plan a strategy for an enzymatic batch process whereby the enzyme is subjected to deactivation as described by the exponential (first-order) decay model. The particular system used was the enzymatic hydrolysis of penicillin to 6-aminopenicillanic acid, but the model can be utilised with other batch systems, provided that decay of the immobilised enzyme preparation is described by the exponential decay model. The model developed is eminently practical and simple, and several examples of its application are given. Experimental data obtained in a small pilot plant batch recirculated reactor could, on average, be well fitted by this model.