Catalase immobilized in capsules in microorganisms removal from drinking water, milk, and beverages

Abstract

A method for removing microbiological contaminants (bacteria, fungi) present in water, milk, or beverages can be an addition of hydrogen peroxide. The method is known in the literature as “cold pasteurization” and has been used so far in the purification of milk. A possibility of H₂O₂ application in the purification of water and other beverages was considered. Hydrogen peroxide present in liquids must be removed before their application in food and drinks industry. An efficient method of its decomposition is the enzymatic reaction involving catalase. Catalase was immobilized into alginate capsules. Characteristics of the immobilized catalase such as the temperature-activity curve, pH-activity curve, and operational and storage stability were evaluated. Various applications of the preparation were considered. Suitability of the preparation was also investigated using a plug-flow reactor.

Keywords:

• Clean water
• Micro-organism removal
• Enzymatic process
• Catalase encapsulation
• Capsules
• Process rate

Acknowledgments

The work was financed by a statutory activity subsided from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for the Faculty Chemistry of Wroclaw University of Technology No S30119/Z0311.

Notes

Presented at the Conference on Desalination for the Environment: Clean Water and Energy 11–15 May 2014, Limassol, Cyprus