ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the current development of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and their application in food. MBRs or biochemical membrane reactors are systems in which a chemical conversion promoted by a catalyst of biological origin is implemented by a membrane operation. Besides the membrane module configuration and place where the reaction takes place, the crucial role of a membrane in a biochemical membrane reactor is to promote and control the mass transport of reaction components between the phases adjacent to it. MBRs and biocatalytic membrane reactors (BMRs) can work in a single liquid phase, heterogeneous liquid phases, as well as in multiphase systems. The most common BMRs with immobilized biocatalysts as well as the main methods for immobilization of enzymes on membranes will be illustrated. Enzymes can be immobilized by covalent bond between the protein and the membrane or agents attached to the membrane.