A novel support for enzyme adsorption: properties and applications of aerogels in low water media

Aerogels, because of their porosity, have a great ability to adsorb water, and this characteristic was exploited to extend the applicability of aerogels for the adsorption and entrapment of hydrolases to be used in organic media. The applicability of aerogels as solid supports for immobilisation of the enzymes PGA, thermolysin and α-chymotrypsin was assayed. By controlling the distribution of water between the catalyst, the support and the reaction medium, aerogel preserves the catalytic activity of the enzymes and prevents hydrolytic reactions.