Abstract
The hydrolysis of raffinose catalyzed by cation exchange membranes loaded with H+ ions is in vestigated in aqueous solution. The reaction taking place only inside the membranes follows first order kinetics. The hydrolytic products are equimolar quantities of fructose and melezitose. The reaction rate constant (k) and the diffusion coefficient of raffinose (Dr) at 20°C have values of k = 2.1 · 10−3 min−1 and Dr = 5.1 · 10−7 cm2 · séc−1.If the volume of one of the outer phases of the membrane is large compared with the other, the system reaches a quasi stationary state in which a separation of fructose and melezitose in the smaller compartment is observed (Cmelezitose/Cfructose = 1.45).