A novel potential of magnetic biochar layered double-hydroxide hybrid to enhance enzyme performance

Abstract

Magnetic biochar (MBC) is a popular choice for enzyme immobilization, due to its large surface area and compatibility with a range of substances. Nonetheless, its small particle size poses difficulties in separation after the adsorption process. To overcome this challenge, the current study introduces an innovative nano-hybrid material that integrates MBC with MgFe-layered double hydroxides (MgFe-LDH) for enzyme immobilization. This hybrid aims to facilitate easier separation while preserving the advantageous properties of MBC in enzyme immobilization. FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and EDS analyses indicated the successful loading of MgFe-LDH onto magnetic biochar through hydrothermal synthesis. Protamex®, a blend of microbial endo-proteases, exhibited a high affinity for absorbing the LDHs nanohybrid surface, thus confirming that the presence of magnetic biochar in the core structure of MBC/MgFe-LDH effectively dispersed the nanohybrid. Furthermore, the magnetic LDH enabled immobilized enzyme recovery via magnetic interaction. The free Protamex® showed a decrease in approximately 45% of its initial activity within 120 days. This activity loss for the immobilized enzyme on the magnetic biohybrid was only about 25%.

Keywords

• Magnetic biochar
• Protamex®
• Nanohybrid
• Layered double hydroxide