Pore control with dextran generated from immobilized dextransucrase

Dextransucrase forms a complex with dextran during an enzymatic reaction with sucrose. Using its enzymatic character, dextransucrase was immobilized on the pore surface of an inorganic membrane at 1.5 U/g-membrane, and subsequent permeation of a sucrose solution (25 g/L) was used to produce dextran on its surface. The pressure loss in the sucrose solution permeating the enzyme-immobilized membrane increased exponentially, indicating that the produced dextran filled the pore. A solution containing latex particles was permeated through the dextran-containing membrane for determining pore filling with dextran, demonstrating that the rejection percentage of latex bead increased with increasing the amount of dextran produced.