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Immobilization in Alginate-Silicate Sol-Gel Matrix Protects β-Glucosidase Against Thermal and Chemical Denaturation

Abstract

We have developed a novel immobilization medium by soaking enzyme-containing calcium alginate beads in a solution of tetramethoxy-ortho-silicate (TMOS) in hexane. Water-soluble alkyl siloxanes, resulting from the partial hydrolysis of TMOS at the hexane-water interface permeated the alginate gel, polymerized and formed a colloid within the beads. Silicate-alginate beads were robust, and did not deform under pressure. The composite gel demonstrated the excellent protein retention and thermal stabilization properties typical of silicate sol-gel-immobilization, as well as protection against inactiva-tion by concentrated urea solutions. Immobilized β-glucosidase had complete operational stability at ambient temperature for at least several months.

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Heichal-Segal, O., Rappoport, S. & Braun, S. Immobilization in Alginate-Silicate Sol-Gel Matrix Protects β-Glucosidase Against Thermal and Chemical Denaturation. Nat Biotechnol 13, 798–800 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0895-798

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