Further, the enantioselective membranes are either inherent or functionalized chiral.
The difference lies in the fact that chiral materials, such as diphenylacetylenes,
disubstituted acetylene, and norbornadiene, are used to synthesize the inherent chiral
membranes and functionalized chiral membranes, as the name suggests are
functionalized with chiral materials. The enantioselector components show affinity
toward a selective enantiomer. Therefore, the enantioselective membranes are capable of selectively separating enantiomers effectively and efficiently without any
outside assistance. The enantioselectors are incorporated into the membranes by
grafting, in case of pervaporation or ultrafiltration membranes and immobilization,
in case of liquid membranes. Further, the enantioselective membranes based on their
mechanism of separation can be categorized into diffusion enantioselective and
adsorption enantioselective membranes. The inherent chiral and functionalized
chiral membranes come under diffusion and adsorption enantioselective membranes
category, respectively. The chiral materials present in the inherent membranes
support the diffusion enantioselective mechanism of separation, and on the other
hand, the chiral materials present on the functionalized chiral membranes aids in
adsorption enantioselective mechanism.
3.4 Filtration of Valuable Products
Membrane technology is capable of extracting all the available reserves from a
source in an efficient and effective manner. Therefore, the use of membranes for
the filtration and separation of value-added products from different sources is highly
recommended. The best example is the separation of whey protein from milk during
cheese production [1]. Whey which is a byproduct of cheese production due to its
high oxygen demand is used to create a huge disposal problem. However, with the
use of membrane science, this waste is used for the extraction of whey protein which
is an energy-rich nutrient and widely used for its nutrient values. Additionally,
lactose is produced from the whey permeate by using different membrane separation
processes, such as reverse osmosis. Similarly, in beverages industry membrane
processes are used for the recovery of microorganisms (e.g., yeast) from the bottom
of the fermenters for their reuse. In case of beer industry, this process of yeast
recovery also revives 1% of the total beer produced in a year, which used to get
wasted at the bottom of the fermenters. Therefore, not only the microorganisms used
for fermentation of the beverages are recovered but also the remaining beverages left
at the bottom of the fermenters. Thus, membrane processes are important for the
filtration, separation, and recovery of the valuable products.
Furthermore, the membrane separation processes are efficient in the separation of
heat labile products. Therefore, the valuable products will not be denatured or
harmed during their filtration and separation. Thus, the valuable products will be
available in their natural form and flavor. This is one of the important advantages of
using membrane separation processes for the filtration, separation, and recovery of
valuable products from different processes and source. These are some of the reasons
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
11
The difference lies in the fact that chiral materials, such as diphenylacetylenes,
disubstituted acetylene, and norbornadiene, are used to synthesize the inherent chiral
membranes and functionalized chiral membranes, as the name suggests are
functionalized with chiral materials. The enantioselector components show affinity
toward a selective enantiomer. Therefore, the enantioselective membranes are capable of selectively separating enantiomers effectively and efficiently without any
outside assistance. The enantioselectors are incorporated into the membranes by
grafting, in case of pervaporation or ultrafiltration membranes and immobilization,
in case of liquid membranes. Further, the enantioselective membranes based on their
mechanism of separation can be categorized into diffusion enantioselective and
adsorption enantioselective membranes. The inherent chiral and functionalized
chiral membranes come under diffusion and adsorption enantioselective membranes
category, respectively. The chiral materials present in the inherent membranes
support the diffusion enantioselective mechanism of separation, and on the other
hand, the chiral materials present on the functionalized chiral membranes aids in
adsorption enantioselective mechanism.
3.4 Filtration of Valuable Products
Membrane technology is capable of extracting all the available reserves from a
source in an efficient and effective manner. Therefore, the use of membranes for
the filtration and separation of value-added products from different sources is highly
recommended. The best example is the separation of whey protein from milk during
cheese production [1]. Whey which is a byproduct of cheese production due to its
high oxygen demand is used to create a huge disposal problem. However, with the
use of membrane science, this waste is used for the extraction of whey protein which
is an energy-rich nutrient and widely used for its nutrient values. Additionally,
lactose is produced from the whey permeate by using different membrane separation
processes, such as reverse osmosis. Similarly, in beverages industry membrane
processes are used for the recovery of microorganisms (e.g., yeast) from the bottom
of the fermenters for their reuse. In case of beer industry, this process of yeast
recovery also revives 1% of the total beer produced in a year, which used to get
wasted at the bottom of the fermenters. Therefore, not only the microorganisms used
for fermentation of the beverages are recovered but also the remaining beverages left
at the bottom of the fermenters. Thus, membrane processes are important for the
filtration, separation, and recovery of the valuable products.
Furthermore, the membrane separation processes are efficient in the separation of
heat labile products. Therefore, the valuable products will not be denatured or
harmed during their filtration and separation. Thus, the valuable products will be
available in their natural form and flavor. This is one of the important advantages of
using membrane separation processes for the filtration, separation, and recovery of
valuable products from different processes and source. These are some of the reasons
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
11