Dsm N.v.

Gist-brocades B.v.

Gerard Jan Kwant

Pieter Johannes Gerrit De Zwarte

Nicolaas Henricus Scheffers

The invention relates to a process for isolating a desired water-soluble product from a fermentation broth wherein the broth is circulated along a ceramic membrane, and wherein a trans-membrane pressure of at least 1.5 bar is applied, whereupon an aqueous solution containing the desired product traverses the membrane, and is subsequently collected. Advantageously, during this filtration process the temperature of the broth is maintained at 20 to 50&deg; C., preferably at 30 to 45&deg; C. According to the invention, a decreased process time and a higher capacity and efficiency of the filtration are obtained.

Membrane filtration

&bgr;-Lactam granules free of organic solvents have been provided for. Also a process to prepare the same by applying during the granulation only water as binding solvent has been disclosed.

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Nootdorp, Netherlands

Gerard Jan Kwant