By, Shudhangshu Shekhar Kundu
Introduction:
What an enzyme? Enzymes are protein molecules, which serve to accelerate the chemical reactions of living cells (often by several orders of magnitude). Without enzymes, most biochemical reactions would be too slow to even carry out life processes. Enzymes display great specificity and are not permanently modified by their participation in reactions. Since they are not changed during the reactions, it is cost-effective to use them more than once. However, if the enzymes are in solution with the reactants and/or products it is difficult to separate them.
What is Immobilization? Immobilization is being in a stationary phase or unable to move.
What is Immobilization of Enzymes? It is a method in which an enzyme is attached to an inert, insoluble material that will prevent loss of enzyme activity by not changing the chemical nature or reactive groups in the binding site of the enzyme. Eg., Sodium alginate.
Methods of Immobilization: The surface on which the enzyme is immobilized is responsible for retaining the structure in the enzyme through hydrogen bonding or the formation of electron transition complexes. These links will prevent vibration of the enzyme and thus increase thermal stability. The micro environment of surface and enzyme has a charged nature that can cause a shift in the optimum pH of the enzyme of up to 2 pH units. This may be accompanied by a general broadening of the pH region in which the enzyme can work effectively, allowing enzymes that normally do not have similar pH regions to work together.
• Carrier-Binding: the binding of enzymes to water-insoluble carriers. • Cross-Linking: intermolecular cross-linking of enzymes by bi-functional or multi-functional