Adsorption and enzyme (beta-galactosidase and alpha-chymotrypsin): immobilization properties of gel fiber prepared by the gel formation of cellulose acetate and titanium iso-propoxide

We prepared a new composite gel fiber by the gel formation of cellulose acetate and titanium iso-propoxide. The fiber is harder than alginate gel; it is also stable in common solvents, phosphate solution, and electrolyte solutions over a wide range of pH from 3 to 10. The fiber shows amphoretic adsorption properties depending on pH, namely, it acts anionic with decreasing pH and cationic with increasing pH. However, the fiber had no adsorption property for a pyrogen endotoxin. The beta-galactosidase and alpha-chymotrypsin not retained in alginate gel were immobilized on the fibers by this method. The pH, temperature, and repeated run stabilities of the immobilized enzyme were compared to those of the native one. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.