Immobilizing enzymes can be a challenge due to the difficulty in achieving a balance between enzyme activity, stability and yield. Achieving high immobilization yields can be difficult due to the hydrophobicity of the enzyme, as well as the potential for competing nonspecific binding of the enzyme to the support material. In addition, the enzyme activity may be affected by the immobilization process, or may be lost during reuse of the enzyme-resin system due to leaching of the enzyme from the support material.
The rotating bed reactor (RBR) offers several advantages for enzyme immobilization screening, such as automation, time and labor efficiency in sampling and monitoring. Its easy handling also makes it a great choice for enzyme immobilization screening. The RBR also offers the flexibility of using different types of resins, which can be packed in different amounts, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
In this application a screening kit with six different enzyme carrier resins was used in parallel to immobilize lipase CalB.
Graphs showing CalB residual enzyme activity in the supernatant after 1 h, as percentages of initial enzyme activity. The enzyme solution was prepared for each type of resin according to the protocols outlined in the SpinChem guidelines for enzyme immobilization.
ECR8806F was determined to be the best candidate, and it was estimated that 97% of the total enzyme amount was immobilized within 1 h. Next, the biocatalytic activity of the beads is assessed.