Abstract: A column apparatus and process is provided for immobilized enzyme reactions using a bed of starch in sponge form, the starch having been chemically modified to incorporate enzyme-immobilzing groups. The starch sponge bed of the column apparatus has a flow of direction length of 2 to 5 feet or more, and a water flow porosity such that over 0.5 (preferably over 1.0) gal.water/min.ft..sup.2 flows through the bed. The apparatus and process can be used with a wide variety of enzymes. It has applicability to the enzymatic conversion of starch hydrolysates, since the starch forming the sponge bed can be cross-linked to increase its resistance to enzyme attack. Starch-derived sugar syrups having D.E.'s of 40 to 97 can be produced. Also, isomerization of glucose syrups can be carried out to produce a syrup of enhanced sweetness, comprising a mixture of glucose and fructose.

Abstract: A column apparatus and process is provided for immobilized enzyme reactions using a bed of regenerated sponge material chemically modified to incorporate enzyme-immobilizing groups. The sponge material selected for use in column apparatus has a flow of direction length of 2 to 5 feet or more, a density of less than 1 gram for each 18 cc. of bed volume (e.g. 1 g./20-70 cc. bed vol.), and a water flow porosity such that over 0.5 (preferably over 1.0) gal. water/min./ft..sup.2 flows through the bed. The apparatus and process can be used with a wide variety of enzymes, but has particular applicability to the enzymatic conversion of starch hydrolysates. Starch-derived sugar syrups having D.E.'s of 40 to 97 can be produced. Also, isomerization of glucose syrups can be carried out to produce a syrup of enhanced sweetness, comprising a mixture of glucose and fructose.