Application and properties of butyl acrylate/pentaerythrite triacrylate copolymers and cellulose-based Granocel as carriers for trypsin immobilization

The main point was the search for a proper carrier and the kind of carrier activation for trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) immobilization. The acrylic and cellulose-based carriers were specially prepared in that they possessed the most often used anchor groups: –OH, –NH2, DEAE and/or –COOH. The immobilization procedures were selected to apply mainly to protein amine groups and appropriate anchor groups on the carrier. As activity tests low (N-benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide, BAPNA) and high (casein) molecular weight substrates were used. It was found, as a rule, that trypsin bound to –COOH groups with the help of carbodiimide was less active and that the amount of bound protein and measured activity (BAPNA) are considerably higher when protein is immobilized via divinyl sulfone. Both rules were observed irrespective of the nature of the polymer matrix. Both types of carriers were found suitable for trypsin immobilization and they were far better than the corresponding Eupergit C-bound enzyme preparations. Taking into account storage stability and activity for both substrates, the divinylsulfone linkage formed between unmodified Granocel and trypsin was the most effective method for the enzyme immobilization. For this preparation, BAPNA and casein conversion, thermal stability at 60 °C and estimated kinetic parameters were compared with those obtained for the native enzyme. It was shown that mass transport limitations could be effectively eliminated by suitable conditions and immobilized trypsin was considerably more stable. The values kcat/Km indicated that the immobilized enzyme was even better as amidase activity was regarded and its potential for protein hydrolysis was only less than twice.