Natural Insoluble Materials as Potential Support for Enzyme Immobilization

• Main Author: S.S. Othman
• Format: Conference Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Immobilization > Natural materials > Support > Activities > Stabilities
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/6129

Enzyme is the heart of biotechnological processes as it permits 'green' synthesis at mild working conditions and consumes less energy. However, enzyme activities are limited by deleterious effects and extreme conditions. The need to produce or design enzyme with high activities and stabilities for the green synthesis is therefore, a new challenge for scientists. In this study, the effects of natural insoluble materials, mainly plagioclase feldspar, mica and fibres of kenalf, were extensively explored for their use as support for enzyme immobilization. The use of these materials is advantageous as they can be found in abundant, possess good physico-chemical properties and are least expensive. Following a simple and straightforward, physical adsorption technique of immobilization, the natural materials exhibited high enzyme loading of 60-90% and enhanced enzyme activity by 4-8 folds, when tested in the syntheses of fine chemicals. Enzyme activities and stabilities were retained even after long exposure (10 days) to extremely polar organic solvents (log P = -0.3), extreme storage conditions and high temperature (70 °C). The immobilized enzymes also showed promising recyclability and kinetic profile as compared to native enzyme. The enzyme preparations produced has displayed promising action as biocatalysts for industrial applications.