Immobilization of Cellulase for Industrial Production

• Published in: Chemical engineering transactions Vol. 27
• Main Authors: G. Hojnik Podrepsek, M. Primozic, Z. Knez, M. Habulin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l 01.01.2012
• ISSN: 2283-9216
• DOI: 10.3303/CET1227040

Immobilized enzymes are used in analytical chemistry and as catalysts for the production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food. Because of their particular structure, immobilized enzymes require optimal conditions, different from those of soluble enzymes. Particle size, particle-size distribution, mechanical and chemical structure, stability and the catalytic activity, used for immobilization, must be considered. Generally, cellulases are used in various industries, including food, brewery and wine, agriculture, textile, detergent, animal feed, pulp and paper, and in research development. For the industrial application of cellulase, its immobilization, which allows the conditions of repeated use of the enzyme alongside retaining its activity, has been recently investigated. Celullase was immobilized with the use of glutaraldehyde, a covalent cross-linking agent in to cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs). The stability and activity of cross-linked cellulase, exposed to carbon dioxide under high pressure, were studied. Efficiency of enzyme immobilization was determined using Bradford method (Bradford, 1976). The activity of cross-linked cellulase was determined by spectrophotometric method.