Immobilization Protocol

Immobilization of enzymes makes their use for a number of applications more feasible. While there are a variety of techniques for this task with differing protocols, enzymes must still be capable of non-catalytic functions (NCF) and catalytic functions (CF).

NCF and CF

• NCF is used in applications that require separation, such as control of a process isolation of catalysts or reuse of the catalysts. CF are intended to convert substrates or target compounds within a specified time and space that are designed.

Chemical, Physical and Catalytic Properties

• NCF relates to the chemical and physical nature of the immobilized enzymes with emphasis upon the geometric properties such the length, thickness, shape and size of the selected carrier; CF are related to the catalytic properties such as stability, pH activity, selectivity and temperature profiles.

Three Types of Immobilization

• There are three commonly used methods of enzyme immobilization: Carrier binding is a method where the enzyme is bound to a carrier and physical activity of the enzyme depends upon characteristics of the carrier; cross linking uses chemical means to create covalent bonds between enzyme molecules resulting in three-dimensional aggregates; entrapment involves catching the enzyme in the lattice of a membrane or polymer matrix.