Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase to nylon fibers using its carbohydrate groups as the chemical link

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa on a nylon support by methods used to attach biomolecules to solid supports through their carbohydrate moieties. The carbohydrate groups were converted to dialdehydes by treatment with sodium periodate. The length of exposure and the periodate amount were optimized to the point where almost total activity retention was obtained. Tests of the immobilized enzyme showed the expressed activity to be significantly higher than the activity obtained with the unimmobilized enzyme. The use of reverse micelles as a way of delivering water to the enzyme was tested and found to give significantly higher activities. The immobilized enzyme activity was also tested with other substrates, one of which was a chiral ester. The immobilized enzyme was found to have high stereoselective efficiency and activity toward racemic methyl methoxyphenyl glycidate, a chiral intermediate used in the manufacture of the drug diltiazem. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.