Enzymatic Saccharification of Okara Using Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor

Studies on the Process for Utilizing Okara, Part 1

Abstract

For the purpose of utilizing Okara (a byproduct of Tofu) as a cellulosic biomass, enzymatic saccharification of Okara was conducted by using a Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) with a working volume of 1L, and operational parameters such as Okara concentration (S₀) of its suspended liquid, pH and temperature were examined. Some measurements revealed that the producing temperature and the specific heat of Okara were 80°C and 3.80kJ/kg·K, respectively, and shaft-torque to stir the Okara-suspended liquid in the reactor increased largely at S₀=350 g/L. The torque and the temperature of Okara after including water which was calculated from the thermal properties of Okara could help us to determine a suitable S₀ for saccharification in this reactor to be 350g/L. Also from a saccharification experiment using 1% Cellulase (Onozuka 3S) solution, operational pH and temperature to obtain a higher reaction rate were found to be 40°C and 40°C, respectively, and accordingly, the reaction rate was calculated to be 103mg/L·h for S₀=350g/L.