Immobilization of lipase on hydrophobic nano-sized magnetite particles

As a tool for the stable enzyme reuse, enzyme immobilization has been studied for several decades. Surface-modified nano-sized magnetite (S-NSM) particles have been suggested as a support for the immobilization of enzyme in this study. Based on the finding that a lipase is strongly adsorbed onto a hydrophobic surface, NSM particles (8–12 nm) were made hydrophobic by binding of sodium dodecyl sulfate via a sulfate ester bond. Various types of measurements, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, vibration sample magnetometer, and thermo gravimetric analysis, were conducted in characterizing S-NSM nanoparticles. S-NSM particles were used for the adsorption of porcine pancreas lipase (PPL). A dodecyl carbon chain is expected to form a spacer between the surface of the NSM and the lipase adsorbed. The immobilized PPL showed the higher specific activity of oil hydrolysis than that of free one. Immobilized PPL could be recovered by magnetic separation, and showed the constant activity during the recycles.