Expanding the Biocatalytic Scope of Enzyme-Loaded Polymeric Hydrogels

Abstract

In recent years, polymeric hydrogels have appeared promising matrices for enzyme immobilization to design, signify and expand bio-catalysis engineering. Therefore, the development and deployment of polymeric supports in the form of hydrogels and other robust geometries are continuously growing to green the twenty-first-century bio-catalysis. Furthermore, adequately fabricated polymeric hydrogel materials offer numerous advantages that shield pristine enzymes from denaturation under harsh reaction environments. For instance, cross-linking modulation of hydrogels, distinct rheological behavior, tunable surface entities along with elasticity and mesh size, larger surface-volume area, and hydrogels’ mechanical cushioning attributes are of supreme interest makes them the ideal candidate for enzyme immobilization. Furthermore, suitable coordination of polymeric hydrogels with requisite enzyme fraction enables pronounced loading, elevated biocatalytic activity, and exceptional stability. Additionally, the unique catalytic harmony of enzyme-loaded polymeric hydrogels offers numerous applications, such as hydrogels as immobilization matrix, bio-catalysis, sensing, detection and monitoring, tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery applications. In this review, we spotlight the applied perspective of enzyme-loaded polymeric hydrogels with recent and relevant examples. The work also signifies the combined use of multienzyme systems and the future directions that should be attempted in this field.

A Review of the Mechanism, Properties, and Applications of Hydrogels Prepared by Enzymatic Cross-linking

“…The total test time of this sensor was 4 min, which was faster than the commercial lactic acid detection, which typically requires up to 10 min. 129…”

“…The development of cross-linking enzymes provides sensors with new materials and methods, and it will likely bring major changes to the field of biosensors. − As shown in Figure d, the hydrogel prepared by the enzymatic method was applied to the biosensors. − Studies have reported that a new type of dienzyme (lagen peroxidase and glucose oxidase)/poly­(amino) sulfonate hydrogel sensor could determine lactic acid levels, and the sensor responded quickly (2 s) with a short recovery time (2 min). The total test time of this sensor was 4 min, which was faster than the commercial lactic acid detection, which typically requires up to 10 min …”

A Novel Approach, Based on the Combined Action of Chitosan Hydrogel and Laccases, for the Removal of Dyes from Textile Industry Wastewaters

“…The properties of hydrogels can also be improved by using them as matrices for enzyme immobilization. Hydrogels are ideal candidates as supports for immobilized enzymes, in that their large surface area, their elasticity, and their tunable functional properties contribute to increase the loading of enzyme, as well as its catalytic activity [28,29].…”

“…So far, chitosan-based hydrogels have been used to immobilize different enzymes [28]. In some instances, chitosan-based hydrogels have also been used as solid supports for laccases [30][31][32].…”

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Cryogel Matrix for Covalent Immobilization of Catalase

“…Many support materials used in enzyme immobilization have been investigated in the literature to date [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Micron-size particles, membranes, and nanoparticles are the most common materials employed in immobilization studies [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”