Immobilized enzymes: Pectin esterase covalently coupled to dorous glass particles

Pectin esterase (E.C. 3.1.1.11) was covalently immobilized to porous glass particles by reaction of the native protein with pendant, benzoyl azide groups of the carrier. Enzyme loading on the carrier was 0.5 unit per ml as measured by pH stat, assay. Decreasing the size of the immobilized enzyme particles by grinding produced a 12-fold increase in activity suggesting severe internal mass transport restrictions on turnover kinetics, Gross fractionation of the citrus pectin substrate into high and low molecular weight categories and their subsequent use in kinetic characterization shows no effect of molecular weight upon the kinetic behavior of the native enzyme. In contrast the immobilized enzyme displayed a 5-fold increase in the apparent. K_m for the high molecular weight fraction relative to that of the low molecular weight fraction. A striking difference exists in the low pH profile of immobilized pectin esterase relative to the native enzyme. Carrier matrix interactions with the polyelectrolyte substrate are invoked to explain this difference. The thermal stability of the immobilized enzyme is relatively low and displays a half-life of approximately 2 weeks at 25°C.