Immobilization of bakers yeast on jute fabric through adhesion using polyethylenimine: application in an annular column reactor for the inversion of sucrose

Commercial baker's yeast cells were immobilized through adhesion on jute fabric using polyethylenimine. Optimal binding was seen when the yeast cells were contacted with jute fabric treated with 2% polyethylenimine. The adhesion was strong and the cells were not eluted even under extreme conditions of pH (3-10) and ionic concentration of 0.5 M NaCl. No change in pH or temperature optimum for invertase present in the cell was seen on immobilization. The thermostability of the enzyme was enhanced on immobilization. An annular reactor was designed for sucrose inversion, in which the jute fabric was attached to a stainless steel mesh on the inner side and was rolled into a cylinder. after which the yeast cells were adhered on it. This yeast cell bound module was used in a temperature controlled tubular reactor for the inversion of concentrated (60-80%) sucrose syrups. The column could be operated at 45 degreesC for a study period of over 45 days without loss in efficiency. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.