Enzyme Immobilization by Microencapsulation: Methods, Materials, and Technological Applications

Abstract

Microencapsulation as a major technique of enzyme immobilization is reviewed. Fabrication of enzyme‐containing microcapsules is broadly categorized according to whether a semipermeable membrane coating or a porous polymeric network structure is primarily responsible for enclosure of enzymes within the internal microcapsule phase. Microcapsules are mostly spherical with diameters usually in the micro‐ to millimeter range and exhibit core‐shell structures of variable complexity. Liposomes and vesicles formed from amphiphilic (co)‐polymers (polymersomes) are widely used to prepare membrane‐coated microcapsules. Hydrogels, sol–gels and other organic–inorganic hybrid materials, or layer‐by‐layer structures made through controlled assembly of polyelectrolytes are used to prepare microcapsules composed of internal polymeric networks. Method combination where polymeric network microcapsules are coated with a suitable membrane to generate tailored core‐shell structures is also used for enzyme encapsulation. Advances in the material sciences contribute to the development of microcapsules with improved properties such as enhanced morphological stability, reduced enzyme leakage, and designed physicochemical permeability and enzyme biocompatibility. Soluble enzymes, but also enzyme aggregates and other insoluble enzyme preparations, are encapsulated. Multienzyme microcapsules are interesting small‐scale bioreactors for confined and even compartmentalized cascade biotransformation. Techniques of microcapsule preparation are described, and applications of microencapsulated enzymes in biotechnology and biomedicine are discussed.

Layer-by-Layer-Assembled Laccase Enzyme on Stimuli-Responsive Membranes for Chloro-Organics Degradation

“…Unlike in the solution state, immobilization imparts extra stability to the enzyme because it prohibits the individual enzyme molecules from interacting with each other. In other words, the unfolding movements of the enzymes are restricted, thereby inhibiting subsequent aggregation processes under these conditions . Furthermore, because the immobilized membranes are stored by immersion in DIUF water, there is little chance of contamination with other chemicals.…”

“…In another words, the unfolding movements of the enzymes are restricted thereby inhibiting subsequent aggregation processes under these conditions. 43 Furthermore, as the immobilized membranes were stored immersed in DIUF water there is little chance of contamination with other chemicals. One more interesting advantage of the immobilization in membrane is that, the immobilized enzymes are inaccessible to bacteria due to the small size of the pores and hence to other enzymes that those bacteria might produce.…”

Development of L-Asparaginase Biobetters: Current Research Status and Review of the Desirable Quality Profiles

“…Covalent bonds occur in the amino acid chain itself in residues such as arginine, lysine, aspartic acid and histidine. Encapsulation is a distinct method of enzyme immobilization by inclusion, which is mainly based on the principle of immobilization without attachment to the carrier material (Rother and Nidetzky, 2014).…”

Enzyme Immobilization Technologies and Industrial Applications

“…Therefore, encapsulation allows the activity of biocatalysts to last for long periods . Several support materials (e.g., cellulose nitrate and nylon) are used to manufacture microcapsules with sizes from 10 to 100 μm . Ionotropic gelation of alginates and silica-based nanoporous sol–gel glasses have shown its efficiency as well for enzyme encapsulation.…”

“…This method is distinguished by the fact that the enzyme can be encapsulated very easily. The development in material sciences added to the formed encapsulation with enhanced properties, e.g., augmented morphological stability, designed physicochemical permeability, and decreased enzyme leakage . In addition, there is a possibility of co-immobilization, where enzymes could be immobilized in any needed combination to suit specific uses.…”