Immobilised enzymes

• Immobilised enzymes


  Enzymes that are attached to an insoluble material so they can't become mixed with the products
• Three main ways enzymes are immobilised

  1. Encapsulated in jelly-like alginate beads

  2. Trapped in a silica gel matrix

  3. Covalently bonded to cellulose or collagen fibres
• In industry, the substrate solution for a reaction is run through a column of immobilised enzymes
• Advantages of using immobilised enzymes

  • Columns of immobilised enzymes can be washed and reused
  • The product isn't mixed with the enzymes
  • Immobilised enzymes are more stable than free enzymes
• Disadvantages of using immobilised enzymes

  • Extra equipment is required, which can be expensive to buy
  • Immobilised enzymes are more expensive to buy than free enzymes
  • The immobilisation of the enzymes can sometimes lead to a reduction in the enzyme activity
• Lactase


  Enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose
• Production of semi-synthetic penicillins

  Immobilised penicillin acylase enzyme is used
• Conversion of dextrins to glucose


  Immobilised glucoamylase enzyme is used
• Conversion of glucose to fructose


  Immobilised glucose isomerase enzyme is used
• Production of pure samples of L-amino acids

  Immobilised aminoacylase enzyme is used
• Conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide


  Immobilised nitrilase enzyme is used