(1) The method used for the determination of tannase activity of enzyme preparation is a modification of the method described by R.

(2) Tannase hydrolyses the ester bonds and depside bonds in gallic acid tannins to release gallic acid and glucose.

(3) Tannase (TA) was immobilized by calcium alginate gel. 60 6% of TA was recovered.

(4) The tea extract which has been treated with tannase is subsequently subjected to an ultra-filtration treatment.

(5) Abstract:The process conditions of immobilizing tannase by modified corncob were studied.

(6) In the last years, tannase has been the subject of a lot of studies due to its commercial importance and complexity as catalytic molecule.

(7) Tannase was dissolved in RM with inserting RM membrane or adhering to RM.

(8) RM was propitious to tannase stability and it was enhanced with the increase of alkyl alcohol moieties carbon length.

(9) Tannase is widely applied in tanning, alcohol making, pharmaceutical and beverage industries.

(10) Although in principle a good quality of tea extract is obtained by the combination of treating tea extract with tannase followed by an UF treatment.

(11) An enzyme level ranging from about 0.5 to 500 or more tannase units ( determined as hereinbefore described) per gram dry weight of tea may be used.

(12) The results showed that there was significant difference between tannase in RM and in bulk water.

(13) The temperature at which the treatment is carried out may, dependent on the tannase type, vary from 20 to 80 c.

(14) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tannase is recycled and in that CASE higher initial levels of tannase are used.

(15) It was found that the strain have not only activity of tannase, but also activity of polyphenol oxidase(PPO).

(16) By using model compound, catechol and pyrogallol, it was verified that at least both tannase and PPO were involved during degradation of tannins by the strain.