3D Printing: An Emerging Technology for Biocatalyst Immobilization

Abstract

Employment of enzymes as biocatalysts offers immense benefits across diverse sectors in the context of green chemistry, biodegradability, and sustainability. When compared to free enzymes in solution, enzyme immobilization proposes an effective means of improving functional efficiency and operational stability. The advance of printable and functional materials utilized in additive manufacturing, coupled with the capability to produce bespoke geometries, has sparked great interest toward the 3‐dimensional (3D) printing of immobilized enzymes. Printable biocatalysts represent a new generation of enzyme immobilization in a more customizable and adaptable manner, unleashing their potential functionalities for countless applications in industrial biotechnology. This review provides an overview of enzyme immobilization techniques and 3D printing technologies, followed by illustrations of the latest 3D printed enzyme‐immobilized industrial and clinical applications. The unique advantages of harnessing 3D printing as an enzyme immobilization technique will be presented, alongside a discussion on its potential limitations. Finally, the future perspectives of integrating 3D printing with enzyme immobilization will be considered, highlighting the endless possibilities that are achievable in both research and industry.

3D printing for flow biocatalysis

“…20 One step further, the functionalities on the 3D-printed reactor surface can be used for targeted material–biosystem interactions, with enzyme immobilization being the most common approach. 21 Studies have shown that when the biocatalyst is fixed in the reactor surface, significant advantages in terms of stability and reusability arise. 22 So, the process follows the route: choose the appropriate material, 3D-print the scaffold, integrate the biocatalyst, and finally connect to the overall fluidic system.…”

Enzyme Bioink for the 3D Printing of Biocatalytic Materials

“…They represent a promising class of bioactive materials for applications in biocatalytic reactors, [25][26][27] sensors 23,[28][29][30] but also as an additive to aid tissue engineering. 18 They are ideal candidates for adding functionality to biocatalytic hydrogels, due to their biocompatibility and high substrate specificity and selectivity, respectively.…”

Hollow, pH‐Sensitive Microgels as Nanocontainers for the Encapsulation of Proteins

“…[1] However, applications within the field of catalysis or bio-sensing also strongly depend on the stabilization of the active species. [2,3] Within this context, various stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoassemblies have been developed to encapsulate and protect delicate cargo including micelles, nanoparticles, polymersomes, or microgels. [4] Encapsulation of enzymes in polymersomes, for example, has been proven to successfully stabilize the enzymes and preserve their activity even when being desiccated or exposed to heat for longer time spans.…”