Biocatalytic protein membranes fabricated by electrospinning

Abstract

In this study, a protein-based catalytic membrane was produced by electrospinning. Membrane activity was characterised in terms of response current for various glucose concentrations. We focused on the preparation of a scaffold by converting a globular protein to other structural forms using catastrophic solvents. A scaffolding protein, bovine serum albumin, and an enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOD), were selected as a model natural carrier matrix and a biologically active agent, respectively. Beta-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) was used to convert the globular protein to an amyloid-like form. A structural stabilising agent, 2,2,2-triflouroethanol (TFE), was used to maintain the final α-helical structure of the amyloid-like protein. The TFE:PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) ratio and various electrospinning parameters were analysed to minimise activity loss. Using this approach, we applied electrospinning to an active enzyme to obtain biocatalytic nanofibrous membranes. After optimising the protein electrospinning process, the activities of the protein nanofibrous membranes were monitored. GOD remained active in the new membrane structure. The highest enzyme activity was observed for the membranes prepared with a 1.5:1 (v:v) TFE:PBS solvent ratio. In that particular case, the immobilized enzyme created a current of 0.7 μA and the apparent activity was 2547 ± 132 U/m 2 .

Implementing Taguchi method to analyze electrospinning parameters influence on Mg‐doped fluorapatite nanoparticles‐poly (ε‐caprolactone) nanocomposite scaffold (Mg‐FA NPs/PCL) properties

“…On the other hand, the distance from collector to needle determines evaporation rate of solvent and deposition time of polymer molecules. Regardless of electrical variations, the evaporation rate of solvent enhances by increasing the distance which in turn causes thinner and non‐beaded fibers fabrication, 24,25 as can be seen in Figure 3D,D′,D″. Therefore, in order to fabricate uniform and non‐beaded fibers, an optimal distance value is required.…”

Polyethersulfone Mats Functionalized with Porphyrin for Removal of Para-nitroaniline from Aqueous Solution

“…Therefore, the development of cost-effective membranes able to adsorb p-NA from aqueous solutions represents an alternative strategy to other treatments for wastewater purification (e.g., advanced oxidation processes, extraction, or biodegradation), and from this perspective, different types of adsorbents have been investigated and utilized to remove p-NA [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Recently, electrospun fibrous mats composed of a wide variety of polymers have been successfully applied in various fields, such as nanocatalysis [10,11,12], filtration [13,14,15,16], healthcare [17,18,19], biotechnology [20,21,22], security, and environmental control [23,24,25,26]. Polyethersulfone (PES) mats are largely used in membrane technology for water treatment due to their insolubility in water as well as their good mechanical and thermal properties [27,28,29].…”