Graphene oxide flake activation via divinylsulfone – a procedure for efficient β-galactosidase immobilization

Abstract

Flaky graphene oxide was activated with divinylsulfone followed by immobilization of the β-galactosidase enzyme. An active and stable preparation was obtained. β-galactosidase stability after immobilization was much higher than with the native enzyme. The half-life time of the immobilized enzyme was estimated as 165 hours, while for the native form, the estimate was only 5 hours. The developed procedure for the preparation of flaked graphene and its use in the chemical immobilization of enzymes can be used for any enzyme. A processing solution for continuous operation was proposed and verified using cow’s milk, with lactose as the hydrolysed substrate, as a dosing stream. Lactose, a milk sugar, was effectively hydrolysed. Product for allergy sufferers who cannot digest lactose has been obtained in this way.

Keywords

• graphene oxide
• enzyme chemical immobilization
• divinylsulfone
• β-galactosidase
• lactose-free product