Drying of α-amylase by spray drying and freeze-drying - a comparative study

Autor(es)

S. S. de Jesus ^[1] ; R. Maciel Filho ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] University of Campinas. School of Chemical Engineering. Laboratory of Optimization, Design and Advanced Control - Brasil

^[2] University of Campinas. School of Chemical Engineering. Laboratory of Optimization, Design and Advanced Control - Brasil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering; v. 31, n. 3, p. 625-631, 2014-09-00.

Resumo

This study is aimed at comparing two traditional methods of drying of enzymes and at verifying the efficiency of each one and their advantages and disadvantages. The experiments were performed with a laboratory spray dryer and freeze-dryer using α-amylase as the model enzyme. An experimental design in star revealed that spray drying is mainly influenced by the inlet air temperature and feed flow rate, which were considered to be the main factors influencing the enzymatic activity and water activity; the long period of material exposure to high temperatures causes a partial activity loss. In the experiments of freeze drying, three methods of freezing were used (freezer, acetone and dry ice, and liquid nitrogen) and samples subsequently freeze-dried for times ranging between 0-24 hours. The product obtained from the two techniques showed high enzymatic activity and low water activity. For the drying of heat-resistant enzymes, in which the product to be obtained does not have high added value, spray drying may be more economically viable because, in the freeze drying process, the process time can be considered as a limiting factor when choosing a technique. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 01/00571-0 - Modelagem e analise do processo de secagem de enzimas por microondas sob vacuo.
• Beneficiário: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 99/12379-5 - Secagem por micro-ondas sob vácuo de xilanases produzida por Bacillus pumilus
• Beneficiário: Sergio Santos de Jesus
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado