ABSTRACT
Bioreactors using immobilized enzymes have been investigated and some of them have been transferred to practical uses. This chapter attempts to combine chromatographic separation with a reaction catalyzed by enzyme. A bioreactor was devised based on the difference in migration rate between the enzyme and the reactants in a gel chromatographic column. The simulated moving-bed type of operation is adopted to realize the countercurrent contact of the particles and liquid flow in the bed. Only the adsorption columns are conveyed at intervals against the fixed introduction and withdrawal points in the direction opposite to the liquid flow. The system consists of some columns packed with immobilized conjugated enzymes. The reactor is based on the fact that enzyme migrates faster than substrate and product in a gel chromatographic column because the molecular weight of the enzyme is generally much higher than those of its substrate and product.
