Conversion of benzylpenicillin to 6‐aminopenicillanic acid in a batch reactor and continuous feed stirred tank reactor using immobilized penicillin amidase

A rate equation has been derived to describe the hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin to 6‐aminopenicillanic acid by penicillin amidase. The integrated from of the rate equation has been shown to predict satisfactorily the progress of the reaction in a batch reactor using either soluble or immobilized penicillin amidase. The rate equation was also used to predict the performance of a continuous feed stirred tank reactor containing immobilized enzyme. There was good agreement with experimental measurements.