Enhanced enzymatic activity in reverse micelles

Summary The bell shaped dependence of the superactivity of enzymes solubilized in ionic reverse micelles (RMs) on the hydration ratio (W₀) is theoretically explained. The superactivity is due to enhanced concentration of the substrate (which has the same kind of charge as that of the surfactant head groups) near the enzyme surface. The opposing effects of the increase in the absolute charge of the surface of the RM and in the water pool width with W₀ cause a maximum in activity.