Enhanced Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition in a Continuous-Flow Reactor over Immobilized Catalase with PAES-C

Abstract

Due to the specificity, high efficiency, and gentleness of enzyme catalysis, the industrial utilization of enzymes has attracted more and more attention. Immobilized enzymes can be recovered/recycled easily compared to their free forms. The primary benefit of immobilization is protection of the enzymes from harsh environmental conditions (e.g., elevated temperatures, extreme pH values, etc.). In this paper, catalase was successfully immobilized in a poly(aryl ether sulfone) carrier (PAES-C) with tunable pore structure as well as carboxylic acid side chains. Moreover, immobilization factors like temperature, time, and free-enzyme dosage were optimized to maximize the value of the carrier and enzyme. Compared with free enzyme, the immobilized-enzyme exhibited higher enzymatic activity (188.75 U g−1, at 30 °C and pH 7) and better thermal stability (at 60 °C). The adsorption capacity of enzyme protein per unit mass carrier was 4.685 mg. Hydrogen peroxide decomposition carried out in a continuous-flow reactor was selected as a model reaction to investigate the performance of immobilized catalase. Immobilized-enzymes showed a higher conversion rate (90% at 8 mL/min, 1 h and 0.2 g) compared to intermittent operation. In addition, PAES-C has been synthesized using dichlorodiphenyl sulfone and the renewable resource bisphenolic acid, which meets the requirements of green chemistry. These results suggest that PAES-C as a carrier for immobilized catalase could improve the catalytic activity and stability of catalase, simplify the separation of enzymes, and exhibit good stability and reusability.