A Continuous Enzymatic Process for Producing Oligosaccharides from Agricultural Waste and Low-Value Biomass Streams

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the continuous and cost-effective production of nutraceutical oligosaccharides from agricultural waste and low-value biomass streams. The method comprises pre-treating biomass to break down the fibre matrix and separate hemicellulose, followed by purification to remove impurities. The purified hemicellulose is hydrolysed in an enzymatic membrane reactor using specific hemicellulases under controlled pH and temperature. Ultrafiltration is employed to recycle enzymes and purify oligosaccharides in the permeate, which is subsequently processed by nanofiltration to concentrate the product and recycle solution modifiers such as NaOH. Substrates include xylan, arabinoxylan, arabinogalactan, and all hemicelluloses derived from agricultural food residue. The method includes the use and engineering of substrate-specific enzymes, such as xylanase, arabinoxylanase, mannanase, and arabinofuranosidase, tailored for enhanced hydrolysis efficiency, improved stability under reaction conditions that suppress microbial growth, and compatibility with enzyme recycling systems.

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