Patent ID: 8703442
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: C12P

Abstract:
1. A continuous process for modification of a substrate comprising the following steps: a) providing a packed bed column of immobilized enzyme, said column being substantially vertical with an inlet end at the bottom of the column and an outlet end at the top of the column; b) continuously adding a substrate to the column at the inlet end; c) continuously passing the substrate upward in the column through the packed bed to enzymatically modify the substrate by the immobilized enzyme to produce a modified substrate; d) continuously discharging modified substrate from the column at the outlet end; e) periodically removing a portion of the immobilized enzyme from the column at the inlet end while performing steps b)-d), wherein the portion of immobilized enzyme removed is less than 35% of total immobilized enzyme volume in the column; f) periodically adding a portion of immobilized enzyme to the column at the outlet end while performing steps b)-d), wherein the portion of immobilized enzyme added is substantially equivalent in volume to the portion of immobilized enzyme removed, and wherein adding immobilized enzyme to the column and removing immobilized enzyme from the column occur substantially concurrently; and g) using the portion of immobilized enzyme removed from the column to pre-treat the substrate before the substrate enters the column.