Insolubilized enzymes

Abstract

Abstract A general process for preparing water-insoluble enzymes which comprises covalently bonding said enzymes to an insoluble polymer, said bonding taking place by the reaction of imidoester functional groups on said polymer with enzyme amino groups. The polymer is preferably an acrylonitrile-based polymer wherein at least a substantial portion of the surface acrylonitrile groups are converted into imidoesters by contacting with an alcohol and a hydrogen halide (e.g., HCl) to form imidoester functional groups. Said imidoester functional groups are then contacted with an aqueous enzyme-containing solution at reaction conditions whereby an insoluble enzyme composite is formed. Said insoluble enzyme composite retains activity substantially equivalent to the enzyme in its native state and further shows increased resistance to degradation by heat as well as chemical denaturants.

Inventors

• 👤 O Zaborsky

Bibliographic Details