Enzyme immobilization on amidoximated acrylic microfibers

Enzymes can be immobilized by entrapment in a porous matrix by encapsulation in a semipermeable membrane capsule or between membranes such as in a hollow-fibre unit or by adsorption onto a solid support surface. Enzyme immobilization provides enzyme utilization eliminates costly enzyme recovery and purification processes and may result in increased activity by providing a more suitable microenvironment for the enzyme. Enzyme immobilization may result in diffusion limitations within the matrix. Immobilization may also cause enzyme instability loss of activity and a shift in optimal conditions (pH ionic strength). To obtain maximum reaction rates the particle size of the support material and enzyme loading need to be optimized and a support material with the correct surface characteristics must be selected.