Separation of fructose from a mixture of sugars using supported liquid membranes

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using supported liquid membranes to extract fructose from a mixture of sugars contained in a fermentation broth. The membrane consisted of a microporous polypropylene support impregnated with a solution of a phenylboronic acid derivative in 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether. Transport through a flat sheet membrane was studied as a function of carrier and feed concentration. A hollow fiber system was also examined, and the effects of the carrier and feed concentrations, as well as the flow rate through the fiber lumen, on the glucose and fructose fluxes and fructose selectivity were studied. The hollow fiber system is more stable than the flat sheet supported liquid membrane, and produces higher fructose selectivities using a lower carrier concentration. The hollow fiber supported liquid membrane is able to remove fructose from a fermentation broth, although the membrane flux and long term stability need further improvement.