Various Strategies for the Immobilization of Biocatalysts on Textile Carrier Materials

Abstract

Textile fabrics made of polyester (PET), polyamide (PA) or cotton represent alternative carrier materials for the immobilization of enzymes. In contrast to conventional carriers, fiber materials are considerably inexpensive. The flexible construction of fabrics enables reactor constructions of any geometry and a quick removal of the catalyst without any residues after the reaction. Moreover, their open structure guarantees an optimal substrate turn-over and the active surface is easily adjustable by the fiber diameter. We have demonstrated successfully, that fabrics with a high enzyme load, a high relative activity and good permanence against enzyme desorption can be produced with low preparative and economic expense. Here, we report various methods for the permanent fixation of enzymes on fiber forming polymers such as photochemical grafting, the use of bifunctional anchor molecules, monomeric and polymeric cross-linking agents or specific enzyme modification for direct immobilization. In addition, we compare the strategies in terms of load, catalytic activity and reusability.