Separation of oligoglucuronans of low degrees of polymerization by using a high shear rotating disk filtration module

Molecular and Supermolecular Structure of Commercial Pyrodextrins

Size exclusion chromatography with triple detection as well as infrared spectroscopy studies of commercially available pyrodextrins proved that these molecules are characterized not only by significantly lower molecular mass, in comparison to that of native starch, but also by increased branching. Therefore, pyrodextrins adopt a very compact structure in solution and show Newtonian behavior under shear in spite of their molecular masses of tens of thousands Daltons. The results also indicate that 50% reduction of digestibility of pyrodextrins is, to a minor extent, caused by formation of low-molecular color compounds containing carbonyl functional groups. The main reason is, as postulated in the literature, transglycosidation that leads to decreased occurrence of α-1,4-glycoside bonds in the molecular structure. In the process of dextrinization starch also undergoes changes in supermolecular structure, which, however, have no influence on digestibility. Likewise, the effect of formation of low-molecular colorful compounds containing carbonyl groups is not crucial.

Separation and fractionation of exopolysaccharides from Porphyridium cruentum

In this work the extraction of EPSs from culture media of Porphyridium cruentum, by dialysis, solvent-precipitation with 3 polar alcohols (methanol, ethanol and isopropanol) and membrane separation techniques has been studied. Diafiltration (DF) using a membrane with a 300 kDa molecular weight cut off was the most efficient technique compared to solvent-extraction and dialysis methods. After extraction, EPS fraction was characterized in terms of rheological properties and biochemical content. The product exhibited shear thinning behavior and a critical overlap concentration equal to 0.6 g/L. The monosaccharide composition was investigated after acidic hydrolysis. Xylose, galactose, glucose and glucuronic acid were identified as the main constitutive monomers.

Removal of cobalt ions from aqueous solutions by polymer assisted ultrafiltration using experimental design approach: part 2: Optimization of hydrodynamic conditions for a crossflow ultrafiltration module with rotating part

Application of shear-enhanced crossflow ultrafiltration for separation of cobalt ions from synthetic wastewaters by prior complexation with polyethyleneimine has been investigated via experimental design approach. The hydrodynamic conditions in the module with tubular metallic membrane have been planned according to full factorial design in order to figure out the main and interaction effects of process factors upon permeate flux and cumulative flux decline. It has been noticed that the turbulent flow induced by rotation of inner cylinder in the module conducts to growth of permeate flux, normalized flux and membrane permeability as well as to decreasing of permeate flux decline. In addition, the rotation has led to self-cleaning effect as a result of the reduction of estimated polymer layer thickness on the membrane surface. The optimal hydrodynamic conditions in the module have been figured out by response surface methodology and overlap contour plot, being as follows: DeltaP=70 kPa, Q(R)=108 L/h and W=2800 rpm. In such conditions the maximal permeate flux and the minimal flux decline has been observed.