Continuous Production of Maltulose from Maltose in a Pressurized Hot Phosphate Buffer

Abstract

A flow-type reactor was constructed to mass-produce maltulose from maltose dissolved in 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer, pH 7, which was maintained in a liquid state under subcritical water conditions. The reactor was then used to examine the effects of reaction temperature, average residence time, and maltose concentration on the production of maltulose. The optimal conditions were a temperature of 115℃ (the highest temperature in the range tested), with an average residence time of 10 min. Considering both substrate utilization efficiency and maltulose concentration, it was concluded that a maltose concentration of 10% (w/v) was optimal.