Ildikó Galambos

Prebiotic galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOSs) are synthesized by transgalactosylation of lactose using β ‐galactosidases. Well‐established, large‐scale production of GOS is performed by stirred‐tank reactors (STR) operating in batch fashion. Main manufacturing expenses are attributed to enzyme purchase costs and the downstream operations required for subsequent enzyme inactivation and removal. In the last decades, several studies and patents have appeared on free enzyme membrane reactor (FEMR) as an economic alternative to STR due to enhanced enzyme recovery and reuse. In this review, we attempt to summarize the key design aspects, the catalytic performance and efficiency of FEMR compared to STR technology, and the main concerns related to stable product quality over long‐term operation.

Access to and the use of irrigation water of adequate quality and targeted nutrient supplementation have become more widespread in recent years. Both crop quality and the irrigation system lifetime are affected by the quality of the water used for irrigation. Micro-irrigation (e.g., drip and sprinkle) is becoming increasingly common alongside the more typical irrigation methods, but it requires expertise and pre-treatment to ensure a proper water supply. The most significant problem is clogging, which can greatly reduce irrigation efficiency. Treatment for irrigation purposes mainly depends on the contaminants that are present in the water. The main treatment options available are biological, electromagnetic and electrostatic treatments, but these have a wide range of effectiveness levels compared to membrane separation technologies. In addition, adsorption treatments are also available, which, depending on the adsorbent used, can greatly improve the pre-treatment of irrigation water. This work provides an overview of adsorbents suitable for the treatment of irrigation water and their effectiveness. The separation of interfering components via adsorption is effective and promising for future application as the expected irrigation demands increase.