Current industrial applications for enzymes are limited by losses in activity over time or difficulties in separation and recycling of the biocatalysts[1–3]. Immobilization onto a structural support can enhance stability and reusability of enzymes, which presents a major research focus at this time.[2,3]
Nanofibers from water soluble polymers are promising candidates as immobilization matrices for enzymes because of their unique combination of nano- and macro-properties. The combination of high surface-to-volume-ratio and ease of handling of nanofibers, the hydrophilic and sustainable nature of water soluble biopolymers and the powerful and potentially non-diminished catalytic abilities of enzymes may lead to the development of a new class of biocatalyst-support.[1,4] However, a crosslinking step with UV-light is needed to render the fibers water stable. Therefore, the goal of this research project is the synthesis of novel photo-reactive biopolymers and subsequent production of nanofibers via electrospinning as biocatalyst-support matrices.
Literature
[1] S. Datta, L. R. Christena, Y. R. S. Rajaram, 3 Biotech, 2013, 3, 1.
[2] M. P. Klein, C. R. Hackenhaar, A. S. G. Lorenzoni, R. C. Rodrigues, T. M. H. Costa, J. L. Ninow, P. F. Hertz, Carbohydr. Polym., 2016, 137, 184.
[3] K. Banjanac, M. Carević, M. Ćorović, A. Milivojević, N. Prlainović, A. Marinković, D. Bezbradica, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 97216.
[4] M. Misson, H. Zhang, B. Jin, J. R. Soc., Interface, 2015, 12, 20140891.