Cross-linked polymer nanofibers for hyperthermophilic enzyme immobilization: approaches to improve enzyme performance

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2014 Aug 13;6(15):11899-906. doi: 10.1021/am5033633. Epub 2014 Aug 1.

Abstract

We report an enzyme immobilization method effective at elevated temperatures (up to 105 °C) and sufficiently robust for hyperthermophilic enzymes. Using a model hyperthermophilic enzyme, α-galactosidase from Thermotoga maritima, immobilization within chemically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers to provide high specific surface area is achieved by (1) electrospinning a blend of a PVA and enzyme and (2) chemically cross-linking the polymer to entrap the enzyme within a water insoluble PVA fiber. The resulting enzyme-loaded nanofibers are water-insoluble at elevated temperatures, and enzyme leaching is not observed, indicating that the cross-linking effectively immobilizes the enzyme within the fibers. Upon immobilization, the enzyme retains its hyperthermophilic nature and shows improved thermal stability indicated by a 5.5-fold increase in apparent half-life at 90 °C, but with a significant decrease in apparent activity. The loss in apparent activity is attributed to enzyme deactivation and mass transfer limitations. Improvements in the apparent activity can be achieved by incorporating a cryoprotectant during immobilization to prevent enzyme deactivation. For example, immobilization in the presence of trehalose improved the apparent activity by 10-fold. Minimizing the mat thickness to reduce interfiber diffusion was a simple and effective method to further improve the performance of the immobilized enzyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Thermotoga maritima / metabolism

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Polymers
  • Solvents
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol