Continuous-Flow Applications of Silica-Encapsulated Enzymes.

摘要

Recent studies have demonstrated the applicability of biomineralization reactions to create an inorganic support matrix suitable to enzyme immobilization. The enzyme/inorganic nanocomposites exhibit excellent mechanical stability and provide an effective method for developing immobilized enzyme reactors, applicable to biocatalysis, biosensors and drug discovery. Enzymes are remarkably versatile catalysts, but in their native soluble form are often labile in the absence of stabilizing agents and are difficult to recover from reaction mixtures. Immobilization of enzymes is therefore frequently employed in an attempt to stabilize enzyme activity and allow reuse of the catalyst. Enzyme immobilization methods primarily involve adsorption, attachment or encapsulation of biomolecules onto or into a solid phase (1-7). A range of silicates have been investigated for enzyme immobilization, either by attachment to functionalized mesoporous silica or encapsulation within sol-gel composites, but processing limitations have restricted widespread applicability.