Continuous micro-production using enzymatic reaction and online monitoring.

A micro-reactor coupled to a microfluidic system and an online UV/VIS spectrometer is described. The enzymatic reaction studied is the hydrolysis of the N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester (BTEE) to N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine (BT) and ethanol, catalyzed by chymotrypsin. The production is online monitored with UV spectroscopy at 256 nm. Three different immobilization methods of the enzyme are discussed: Eupergit C, controlled-pore glass (CPG), and Sepharose.