Improvement in biochemical characteristics of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) with magnetic nanoparticles as support matrix

Nithyakalyani Doraiswamy^a, Mahalakshmi Sarathi^a, Gautam Pennathur^a,b

Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

Recent developments in novel carriers for enzyme immobilization have led to improvement in the stability and cost-effectiveness of the biocatalysts for their enhanced suitability in the industrial applications. Cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs), a recent technique developed in the carrier-free type of enzyme immobilization is a simple and straightforward method. Moreover, the magnetic property and the higher surface-to-volume ratio of the maghemite nanoparticles have also been utilized in the present immobilization technique as magnetic nanoparticle-supported CLEAs (Mgnp-CLEAs). The stability studies of the free and immobilized enzyme revealed the Mgnp-CLEAs to have enhanced enzyme stability with an increase in the reusability cycle. The physical characterization of the nanoparticles and immobilized enzymes by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed the successful immobilization of the enzyme for its improved stability.

Keywords: Immobilization, Hydrolytic enzymes, Magnetite nanoparticle, CLEAs, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction.