Modelling of the enzymatic synthesis of taste dipeptides with simultaneous extraction in a membrane phase contactor Original Research Article

The paper presents a model of the synthesis process of taste dipeptides carried out in a biphase water-organic phase system. An enzymatic conversion takes place within the aqueous phase where the enzyme is dissolved. The catalysis process is accompanied by the transport of reagents from/to the organic phase, which is a reservoir of hydrophobic reagents. The membrane contactor with a porous membrane holds the interface surface that serves as an interface area to the reactant mass transfer. The model was verified on the basis of the synthesis reaction of ZAlaPheOMe, a precursor of bitter dipeptide. The process was carried out in the ethyl acetate-polypropylene membrane-0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer system. Good agreement of experimental and model results was presented that enabled computer simulations of the process. That allowed us to choose the optimum parameters used in the batch and continuous process. The influence of interface surface area, phases volume and reagent concentrations on the process course, productivity and product purity was shown.