Influence of different silica derivatives in the immobilization and stabilization of a Bacillus licheniformis protease (Subtilisin Carlsberg)

Alcalase 2T, a commercial preparation of Subtilisin Carlsberg, was covalent immobilized onto physiochemically characterized silica supports. The effect of mean pore diameter and surface chemistry on enzyme activity in the hydrolysis of casein has been examined. Two sets of chemically distinct silica supports were used presenting terminal amino (S_APTES) or hydroxyl groups (S_TESPM-pHEMA). The percentage of immobilized protein was smaller in S_APTES (31–39%) than in S_TESPM-pHEMA (62–71%), but presented higher total and specific activity. Silicas with large pores (S₁₀₀₀, 130/1200 Å) presented higher specific activities relative to those with smaller pore sizes (S₃₀₀, 130/550 Å). The influence of glutaraldehyde concentration and the time of enzyme coupling to the S₁₀₀₀S_APTES supports was examined. The apparent K_m value for the S₁₀₀₀S_APTES immobilized enzyme is lower than the soluble one which may be explained by the partitioning effects of the substrate. No intraparticle diffusion limitations were observed for the immobilized enzyme and therefore the substrate diffusion does not influence the observable kinetics. Finally, the optimum pH, optimum temperature, thermal stability, operational stability, and storage stability of the immobilized and freely soluble enzymes were compared.     

X-ray absorption fine structure study of the atomic and electronic structure of molybdenum disulfide intercalation compounds with transition metals

The local structures of ‘host’ and ‘guest’ layers of MoS₂ intercalated with M(OH)₂ (M=Mn, Co and Ni) prepared via interaction of single-layer MoS₂ dispersions and solutions of M²⁺ salts were studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. According to M K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) results, the electronic structure and atomic environment of the M atoms in the intercalates are similar to that of the crystalline hydroxides M(OH)₂. In the Ni intercalate, Mo K-edge EXAFS revealed a structural change of the ‘host’ MoS₂ layers similar to that reported for water dispersions of MoS₂ single layers. S K-edge XANES data indicate that the change is associated with increased electron density on the S atoms in the matrix. SO₄²⁻ and Mo″⁻ (4 < n < 6) were detected in the intercalated materials exposed to air, suggesting that transition metal intercalation may increase the susceptibility of the MoS₂ layers to oxidation.     

The trans influence of F, Cl, Br and I ligands in a series of square-planar Pd(II) complexes. Relative affinities of halide anions for the metal centre in trans-[(Ph3P)2Pd(Ph)X]

Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of trans-[(Ph₃P)₂Pd(Ph)X] (X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), and I (4) were carried out. The four structures split in two isostructural and isomorphous groups, namely orthorhombic for 1 and 2 (space group Pbca, Z = 8) and triclinic for 3 and 4 (space group P-1, Z = 2). According to the Pd---C bond length, the trans influence of X within these pairs follows the trend Cl>F and 1>Br. However, the trans influence of Cl is slightly stronger than that of Br. Both structural and ¹³C NMR studies revealed that electron-donating effects of (Ph₃P)₂PdX increase along the series X=I− for the Pd centre in [(Ph₃P)₂Pd(Ph)]⁻ were studied by ³¹P NMR in rigorously anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solutions, and equilibrium constants and ΔG values were obtained for all possible combinations. The sequence F⁻ > Cl⁻ > Br⁻ > I⁻ is characteristic of halide preference for the Pd complexes. Dissolving 1 and PPN Cl in dry CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the release of ‘naked’ F⁻ which fluorinated the solvent smoothly to give a mixture of CH₂ClF and CH₂F₂ in high yield. When chloroform was used instead of CH₂Cl₂, dichlorocarbene was generated slowly, forming the corresponding cyclopropane in the presence of styrene. All observations were rationalized successfully in terms of the filled/filled effect and push/pull interactions.     

Monitoring of phosphorus bioavailability in water by an immobilized luminescent cyanobacterial reporter strain

Massive growth of cyanobacteria, known as ‘algal blooms’, has become a major concern for water monitoring. It has been observed that environmental factors like temperature, light, and certain patterns of availability of nutrients such as P, N, Fe influence cyanobacterial proliferation and toxin production. In order to monitor nutrients in aquatic ecosystems, an assay for monitoring phosphorus bioavailability to cyanobacteria was developed. The test consists of an immobilized luminescent reporter strain of Synechococcus PCC 7942, designated APL. The reporter strain harbours the gene coding the reporter protein luciferase from Vibrio harveyi under control of the inducible alkaline phosphatase promoter from Synechococcus PCC 7942, and can be induced under phosphorus limitation. The resultant CyanoSensor detects PO₄³⁻−P in a concentration range of 0.3–8 μM after a sample incubation time of 8 h under continuous illumination (50 μE m⁻² s⁻¹). The sensor also responded to a variety of organic phosphorus sources and was storable for 3 weeks at 4 °C. It could be demonstrated that the CyanoSensor for bioavailability monitoring is an improvement to conventional phosphorus detection methods.     

Carbon isotope fractionation in species of the torrenticolous families Podostemaceae and Hydrostachyaceae

Carbon isotope ratios of herbarium material from members of the fresh-water families Podostemaceae and Hydrostachyaceae (Rosidae) were analyzed. The levels of ¹³C were highly variable (Podostemaceae −12.8‰ to −38.55‰; Hydrostachyaceae −10.78‰ to −30.42‰), across as well as within species and across a wide geographic range.

We suggest that the high variance observed is due neither to a constant attribute of the species like the photosynthetic CO₂-carboxylase (in water plants with very high discrimination of the ¹³CO₂ probably Rubisco) nor to the constant structural peculiarities of these species. Rather, it is likely due to the ‘diffusional resistance’ for the CO₂-flux from the turbulent and/or fast flowing water, causing a very variable boundary layer on the plant surface.     

PATHWAYS OF INCORPORATION OF FATTY ACID INTO GLYCEROLIPIDS OF THE MURINE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN VIVO: ALTERATIONS IN THE DYSMYELINATING MUTANT TREMBLER MOUSE

In vivo glycerolipid metabolism was studied in sciatic nerves of normal and Trembler mice. The results showed that two kinetically independent pathways were implicated in the labeling of diacylglycerophospholipids from [³H]palmitate: the Kennedy pathway and a ‘direct acylation’ pathway. In normal nerves, 45% of the glycerophospholipids were labeled, with a rate constant k₃ = 3.9 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹, from phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol intermediates, themselves formed with a rate constant of k₁ = 0.24 min⁻¹ from a free ³H-fatty acid pool, FFA₁, that represents 45% of the total injected label. The remaining 55% of the glycerophospholipids were labeled from a kinetically distinct free ³H-fatty acid pool, FFA₂, with a rate constant of k₄ = 9.8 × 10⁻², via a process that does not implicate a detectably labeled metabolic intermediate (‘direct acylation’). Glycerophospholipid labeling via the Kennedy pathway in the Trembler mouse sciatic nerves was reduced to 75% of the normal level, while labeling via the ‘direct acylation’ pathway was increased 1.4-fold. The values of the rate constants for free ³H-fatty acid utilisation (k₁ and k₄) were both increased about 2.5-fold, while that of glycerophospholipid formation from diacylglycerol (k₃) was close to normal. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd     

Bioconversion of phospholipids by immobilized phospholipase A2

Phospholipase A₂ selectively hydrolyses the ester linkage at the sn-2 position of phospholipids forming lysocompounds. This bioconversion has importance in biotechnology since lysophospholipids are strong bioemulsifiers. The aim of the present work was to study the kinetic behaviour and properties of immobilized phospholipase A₂ from bee venom adsorbed into an ion exchange support. The enzyme had high affinity for CM-Sephadex^® support and the non-covalent interaction was optimum at pH 8. The activity of immobilized phospholipase A₂ was comparatively evaluated with the soluble enzyme using a phospholipid/Triton X-100 mixed micelle as assay system. The immobilized enzyme showed high retention activity and excellent stability under storage. The activity of the immobilized system remained almost constant after several cycles of hydrolysis. Immobilized phospholipase A₂ was less sensitive to pH changes compared to soluble form. The kinetic parameters obtained (V_max 883.4 μmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹ and a K_m 12.9 mM for soluble form and V_max = 306 μmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹ and a K_m = 3.9 for immobilized phospholipase A₂) were in agreement with the immobilization effect. The results obtained with CM-Sephadex^®-phospholipase A₂ system give a good framework for the development of a continuous phospholipid bioconversion process.     

Essential role of the concentration of immobilized ligands in affinity chromatography:: Purification of guanidinobenzoatase on an ionized ligand

Guanidinobenzoatase, a plasma protein with possible application as a ‘tumor marker’, has been fully purified by one-step affinity chromatography. The affinity matrix was prepared by ‘controlled’ immobilization of an enzyme inhibitor (agmatine) onto commercial agarose gels containing carboxyl moieties activated as N-hydroxysuccinimide esters. In this way, agmatine becomes immobilized through an amido bond and preserves an ionized guanidino moiety. Different matrices with different concentration of ligands were prepared in order to evaluate their properties as affinity supports. Interestingly, matrices with a very low concentration of immobilized ligands (2 μmol/ml, corresponding to the modification of only 5% of active groups in the commercial resins) exhibited a low capacity for unspecific adsorption of proteins (as anion-exchange resins) and displayed also a high capacity for specific adsorption of our target protein. On the other hand, when affinity matrices possessed a moderate concentration of agmatine (10 μmol/ml of gel or higher), two undesirable phenomena were observed: (a) the matrix behaves as a very good anionic exchange support able to non-specifically adsorb most of plasma proteins and (b) the specific adsorption of our target protein becomes much lower. The latter phenomenon could be due to steric hindrances promoted by the interaction between each individual immobilized ligand and the corresponding binding pocket in the target protein. These hindrances could also be promoted by the presence of a fairly dense layer of immobilized ligands covering the support surface, thus preventing interactions between immobilized ligands and partially buried protein-binding pockets. In this way, a successful affinity purification (23.5% yield, ×220 purification factor, a unique electrophoretic band) could be achieved by combination of three approaches: (i) the use of affinity matrices possessing a very low density of immobilized ligands, (ii) performing affinity adsorption at high ionic strength and (iii) performing specific desorption with substrates or substrate analogues.     

The catalytic potency of β-glucosidase from Pyrococcus furiosus in the direct glucosylation reaction

Enzymes from extremophiles operate at conditions that are different from their ‘normal’ counterparts, and are therefore a useful extension of the enzyme toolbox. In this paper, the direct glucosylation reaction mediated by a hyperthermophilic β-glucosidase from Pyrocuccus furiosus was investigated. Hexanol was successfully coupled to glucose with this enzyme. A preliminary study was conducted to improve the product yield. A maximum product concentration of 12.9 g.l⁻¹ was attainable by increasing the glucose concentration to the maximum solubility of 2000 g.(kg buffer solution)⁻¹ at the reaction temperature. The highest glucose based yield of 2.64% was achieved with a glucose concentration of 900 g.(kg buffer solution)⁻¹ at a reaction temperature of 65°C and a pH of 6.0. Performing the reaction at higher pH and temperature led to lower product concentrations. This was caused by deactivation of the enzyme accompanied by browning of the reaction mixture. A pH of 4.4 did have a negative effect on both the storage and the operational stability of the enzyme.     

Catalysis of plastocyanin electron self-exchange by redox-inert multivalent cations

Electron self-exchange in solutions of the ‘blue’ copper protein plastocyanin is catalysed by the redox-inert multivalent cations Mg²⁺ or Co(NH₃)³⁺₆. Measurements of specific ¹H-NMR line broadening with 50% reduced solutions in the presence of these cations show that electron exchange proceeds through encounters of cation-protein complexes which dissociate at high ionic strength. In the presence of 8mM (5 equivalents/total protein) Co(NH₃)³⁺₆, with 10 mM cacodylate (pH^*6.0) as background electrolyte, the bimolecular rate constant at 25°C is 7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹·s⁻¹. For comparison, the ‘electrostatically screened’ rate constant measured in 0.1 M KCl in the absence of added multivalent cations is ˜ 4 × 10³ M¹·s⁻¹.

Plastocyanin Electron self-exchange NMR Protein-protein interaction Multivalent cation Blue copper protein     

Mg2+ ion effect on conformational equilibrium of poly A . 2 poly U and poly A poly U in aqueous solutions

Differential UV spectroscopy and thermal denaturation were used to study the Mg²⁺ ion effect on the conformational equilibrium in poly A · 2 poly U (A2U) and poly A · poly U (AU) solutions at low (0.01 M Na⁺) and high (0.1 M Na⁺) ionic strengths. Four complete phase diagrams were obtained for Mg²⁺–polynucleotide complexes in ranges of temperatures 20–96 °C and concentrations (10⁻⁵–10⁻²) M Mg²⁺. Three of them have a ‘critical’ point at which the type of the conformational transition changes. The value of the ‘critical’ concentration ([Mg_t²⁺]_cr=(4.5±1.0)×10⁻⁵ M) is nearly independent of the initial conformation of polynucleotides (AU, A2U) and of Na⁺ contents in the solution. Such a value is observed for Ni²⁺ ions too. The phase diagram of the (A2U+Mg²⁺) complex with 0.01 M Na⁺ has no ‘critical’ point: temperatures of (3→2) and (2→1) transitions increase in the whole Mg²⁺ range. In (AU+Mg²⁺) phase diagram at 0.01 M Na⁺ the temperature interval in which triple helices are formed and destroyed is several times larger than at 0.1 M Na⁺. Using the ligand theory, a qualitative thermodynamic analysis of the phase diagrams was performed.     

Coenzyme production using immobilized enzymes. I. Preparation, characterization, and laboratory-scale application of an immobilized NAD kinase

NAD⁺ kinase (ATP: NAD⁺ 2-phosphotransferase, EC2.7.1.23) isolated from chicken liver was immobilized on a silica-based support possessing aldehyde functional groups. The highest catalytic activity achieved was 16 U g⁻¹ solid. The optimal pH for the catalytic activity of the immobilized NAD⁺ kinase was pH 7.1–7.3. The apparent optimum temperature for the immobilized enzyme was about 5°C higher than that of the soluble enzyme. There were no significant differences in the K_{m app} values. The immobilization improved the conformational stability of the enzyme. In preliminary experiments, a 95% conversion of NAD⁺ to NADP⁺ was achieved with use of the immobilized NAD⁺ kinase, which preserved its starting activity practically unchanged up to 36 days.     

Folded conformation of an immunostimulating tetrapeptide rigin: high temperature molecular dynamics simulation study

Employing high temperature quenched molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations the conformational energy space of an immunostimulating tetrapeptide rigin: H-Gly³⁴¹-Gln-Pro-Arg³⁴⁴-OH, is explored. Using distance dependent dielectric (=r_ij) 31 different low energy starting structures with identical sequence were computed for their conformational preferences. According to the hypothesis of O'Connors et al. [J. Med. Chem. 35 (1992), 2870], 83 low-energy conformers resulted from unrestrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, could be classified into two energy minimized families: A and B, comprised of 64 (Pro C^γ-endo orientation) and 19 (Pro C^γ-exo orientation) structures, respectively. An examination of these families revealed the existence of a remarkably similar folded backbone conformation: torsion angles being φ_i+1 ≈−65°, ψ_i+1 ≈−65°, φ_i+2 ≈−65°, ψ_i+2 ≈−60°, characterizing a distorted type III β-turn structure across the central Gln-Pro segment. The folded conformation of rigin is devoid of a classical 1 ← 4 intra-molecular hydrogen bond nevertheless, the conformation is stabilized by an effective ‘salt-bridge’, i.e., Gly H₃N⁺… COO⁻ Arg interaction. Surprisingly, in both the families the unusual folded side-chain dispositions of the Gln residue favor the formation of a unique intra-residue ‘main-chain to side-chain’ H-bond, i.e., N–H…N^ε interaction, encompassing a seven-membered ring motif. The conformational attributes may be valuable in de novo construction of structure-based drug candidates having sufficient stimulating activity.     

Entrapment of lipase into K-carrageenan beads and its use in hydrolysis of olive oil in biphasic system

The porcine pancrease lipase was immobilized by entrapment in the beads of K-carrageenan and cured by treatment with polyethyleneimine (PEI) in the phosphate buffer. The retention of hydrolytic activity of lipase and compressive strength of the beads were examined. The activity of free and immobilized lipase was assessed by using olive oil as the substrate. The immobilized enzyme exhibited a little shift towards acidic pH for its optimal activity and retained 50% of its activity after 5 cycles. When the enzyme concentration was kept constant and substrate concentration was varied the K_m and V_max were observed to be 0.18 × 10⁻² and 0.10, and 0.10 × 10⁻² and 0.09 respectively, for free and for entrapped enzymes. When the substrate concentration was kept constant and enzyme concentration was varied, the values of K_m and V_max were observed to be 0.19 × 10⁻⁷ and 0.41, and 0.18 × 10⁻⁷ and 0.41 for free and entrapped enzymes. Though this indicates that there is no conformational change during immobilization, it also shows that the reaction velocity depends on the concentration. Immobilized enzyme showed improved thermal and storage stability. Hydrolysis of olive oil in organic–aqueous two-phase system using fixed bed reactor was carried out and conditions were optimized. The enzyme in reactor retained 30% of its initial activity after 480 min (12 cycles).     

Synthesis, characterization and swelling studies of pH responsive psyllium and methacrylamide based hydrogels for the use in colon specific drug delivery

In order to utilize the psyllium husk a medicinally important natural polysaccharide and to develop the novel hydrogels meant for the colon specific drug delivery, we have prepared psyllium and methacrylamide based polymeric networks by using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (NN-MBAAm) as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. To study various structural aspects of the polymeric networks thus formed psy-cl-poly(MAAm), these were characterized with SEMs, FTIR, TGA and swelling studies. The swelling studies of networks were carried out as a function of time, temperature, pH and [NaCl]. Equilibrium swelling has been observed to depend on both composition of the polymer and nature of swelling medium. Maximum percent swelling 1262 was observed for the polymeric network prepared with 19.45 × 10⁻³ mol/L of [NN-MBAAm] at 40 °C in 0.5 M NaOH solution. This article also discusses the release dynamics of tetracycline hydrochloride from the hydrogels, for the evaluation of the drug release mechanism and diffusion coefficients of drug from the polymer matrix. The effect of pH on the release pattern of tetracycline hydrochloride has been studied by varying the pH of the release medium. It has been observed from the release dynamics of drug from the hydrogels that the diffusion exponent ‘n’ have 0.477, 0.423 and 0.427 values and gel characteristic constant ‘k’ have 5.07 × 10⁻², 6.34 × 10⁻² and 6.38 × 10⁻² values, respectively, in distilled water, pH 2.2 buffer and pH 7.4 buffer solution. The values the ‘n’ indicated that the Fickian type diffusion mechanism occurred for the release of tetracycline hydrochloride from drug loaded psy-cl-poly(MAAm) polymers in different release mediums. In Fickian type diffusion mechanism, the rate of polymer chain relaxation is more as compare to the rate of drug diffusion from these hydrogels and release behavior follows Fick’s law of diffusion. In each release medium, the values of the initial diffusion coefficient ‘D_i’ for the release of tetracycline hydrochloride was higher than the values of late time diffusion coefficient ‘D_L’ indicating that in the start, the diffusion of drug from the polymeric matrix was faster as compare to the latter stages.     

Second-sphere coordination of ‘star’-shaped hexakis(N-pyridin-4-one)benzene (HPOB) with hexakis(methanol)nickel(II) nitrate; unusual (NO3)(HPOB)(NO3) π-stacked ‘sandwiching’

It is shown by X-ray studies that the compound Ni(HPOB)(NO₃)₂(MeOH)₉ [where HPOB=hexaxis(N-pyridin-4-one)benzene] contains [Ni(MeOH)₆]²⁺ cations hydrogen-bonded to the oxygen atoms of the pyridone units in HPOB, with the resulting six-connectivity at both metal and HPOB producing a three-dimensional network array essentially topologically equivalent to the -Po structure. The pyridone rings in the HPOB molecules are arranged orthogonally to the central C₆ ring and the nitrate anions form an unusual (NO₃ ⁻)(HPOB)(NO₃ ⁻) ‘sandwich’ by a combination of π-stacking and C---HO hydrogen bonds.     

NMR evidence of hydrogen bonding in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-tetrafluoroborate room temperature ionic liquid

The 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-tetrafluoroborate (EMI–BF₄) room temperature ionic liquid was investigated with NMR techniques. Diffusion coefficients measured at temperatures ranging from 300 to 360 K indicate that phase-change occurred in the vicinity of 333 K, which is supported by ¹¹B quadrupolar relaxation rates. This phase change is ascribed to the transformation of the diffusion particle from ‘discrete ion-pair’ to ‘individual ion’ at temperatures above 335 K due to decomposition of the EMI–BF₄ ion pair. Analysis of the ¹³C dipole–dipole relaxation rates identifies the formation of hydrogen bond (C2HF) between the counterions, EMI⁺ and BF₄ ⁻. This hydrogen bonding may have significant contribution to the higher viscosity of this ionic liquid in comparison with the EMI–AlCl₄ ionic liquid at corresponding temperatures.     

''Cross-talk'' between phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase involves regulation of G-protein levels in GH3 rat pituitary cells.

We have investigated the possibility that adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and membrane protein levels of the -subunits of the stimulatory and inhibitory G-proteins of AC (G_s and G_i−2) in cultured prolactin-producing rat pituitary adenoma cells (GH₃ cells) are modulated by phospholipase C (PLC)-generated second messengers. Pretreatment of cells (6–48 h) with ionomycin (1 μM) or 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG; 1μM) showed that ionomycin regulated G_s levels in a time-dependent, biphasic manner; a two-fold increase followed a 40% initial reduction, while OAG lowered G_s levels by more than 50% at all time-points. G_i−2 levels remained unchanged by both pretreatments. OAG, but not ionomycin, increased basal AC activity without increasing enzyme protein levels. Alterations in AC responsiveness to peptide hormones (e.g. thyroliberin and vasoactive intestinal peptide) correlated to membrane G_s protein -subunit content. These results demonstrate the involvement of G-protein translation regulation as one mechanism of ‘cross-talk’ between the PLC- and AC-dependent signalling pathways.     

The response of young Romney lambs to immunization with Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae

1988. The response of young Romney lambs to immunization with Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae. International Journal for Parasitology 18: 1035–1038. Groups of weaned Romney ewe lambs were immunized with two doses of 28,000, 35,000 or 42,000 (2000 kg⁻¹) infective larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis at 8, 12 or 16 weeks of age, respectively. Each group and helminthfree control lambs of similar age were challenged with T. colubriformis at the same dose rate as used for immunization. Faecal egg counts (FEC) and haematological observations were made during the experiment, and at slaughter, 42 days after challenge, worm burdens were determined and small intestinal histology was examined.

Lambs in each immunized group were identified as ‘responders’ or ‘non-responders’ on the basis of both FEC and worm burdens. A significant (P<0.001) decrease in the worm burdens recovered as a proportion of the challenge infections in both unimmunized and immunized lambs with increasing age was observed.

Globule leukocyte numbers increased with the age of lambs. In addition, within each age group globule leukocyte numbers reflected individual responsiveness to immunization, significantly (P<0.01) greater numbers being present in ‘responders’ than ‘non-responders’ or unimmunized lambs. No difference in haematological responses were found in relation to the lambs' responsiveness to immunization.     

Immobilization of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis on silica and agarose: comparison of different methods

The covalent immobilization of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis (β-gal) on to two different porous carriers, CPC-silica and agarose, is reported. CPC-silica was silanizated and activated with glutaraldehyde. The activation of agarose via a cyanylating agent (CDAP) was optimized. Gel-bound protein and gel-bound activity were both measured directly, allowing the determination of apparent specific activities (S.A.). Higher amounts of β-gal were immobilized on the activated CPC-silica (maximum capacity, 23 mg ml⁻¹ of packed support) than on the CDAP-activated agarose. For the lower enzyme loading assayed (12.6 mg ml⁻¹ packed support), 100% of the enzyme was immobilized but only 34% of its activity was expressed. This inactivation during immobilization was confirmed by the S.A. values (22–29 EU mg⁻¹ for the CPC-derivatives and 80 EU mg⁻¹ for soluble β-gal). The K_app (3.4 mM) for the CDAP-derivative with ONPG as substrate was higher than the K_M value for soluble β-gal (2 mM). When the enzyme loading was increased five-fold, the K_app increased four-fold, to 13 mM. The V_app values for the CPC-derivatives were remarkably lower than the V_max for soluble β-galactosidase. CDAP-derivatives showed better thermal stabilities than CPC-derivatives but neither of them enhanced the stability of the soluble enzyme. When stored at 4°C, the activity of both derivatives remained stable for at least 2 months. Both derivatives displayed high percentages of lactose conversion (90%) in packed bed mini-reactors. Glucose production was 3.3-fold higher for the CPC-derivative than for the CDAP-derivative, as a consequence of the higher flow rates achieved.