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Immobilization of Enzymes on Nanoparticles
for Catalysis in Non-aqueous Media
Alexey Vertegel, Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University,
Clemson, SC 29634
Sulfur Dioxide is a pollutant produced by petroleum combustion. Its emissions cause
acid rain which can have harmful effects on the environment. Enzymatic
desulfurization of fuels is attractive because of high activity and specificity of
enzymes, and possibility to perform the process in mild conditions. However, it
requires enzyme reactions in non-aqueous media.
Chloroperoxidase and myoglobin
are enzymes which have been
shown to oxidize thiophenes in
aqueous media. Here, we showed
that these enzymes are also
active in hexane. Furthermore, we
found that immobilization on
~40 nm polystyrene latex nanoparticles results in
higher enzyme stability and easier recovery compared
to the free enzyme. Such constructs could therefore
become attractive candidates for desulfurization of
fossil fuels.
Activity of chloroperoxidase –nanoparticle
conjugates (red circles) compared to that
of the free enzyme (black squares) in
oxidation of dibenzothiophene in hexane