Carrier-based immobilization of the Aerococcus viridans L-lactate oxidase

Authors

Margherita Bruni (acib GmbH), DI Dr. techn. Christiane Luley (acib GmbH) and Univ.-Prof. DI DDr. hc Bernd Nidetzky (Technische Universität Graz)

This study investigated the immobilization of L-lactate oxidase (LOx) from Aerococcus viridans onto various porous carriers, including polymethacrylate, polyurethane, and agarose matrices functionalized with amine, Ni2+-loaded nitrilotriacetic acid (NiNTA), or epoxide groups. Both covalent attachment (via glutaraldehyde activation of amine groups or direct reaction with epoxide groups) and physical adsorption methods were evaluated. Key parameters assessed were carrier activity (Ac) and enzyme effectiveness (η) as a function of protein loading. Optimal results, achieving Ac up to 1450 U/g and η up to 65% (at low loading), were obtained with hydrophilic agarose carriers functionalized with amine groups, particularly when using glutaraldehyde activation for covalent binding. Effectiveness decreased sharply with increased protein loading, likely due to mass transfer limitations, especially for oxygen.

Interestingly, physical adsorption onto amine c larriers yielded comparable Ac and η values to covalent immobilization. Adsorbed preparations on agarose amine also exhibited superior thermostability compared to their covalent counterparts at 55°C. Unexpectedly, untagged LOx adsorbed efficiently onto NiNTA carriers, suggesting significant non-specific ionic interactions. His-tagged LOx generally displayed higher effectiveness factors compared to the untagged enzyme when immobilized. Lixiviation studies using 1 M NaCl indicated quasi-irreversible binding to NiNTA carriers but partial (~17-25%) enzyme desorption from amine carriers, with the released enzyme retaining its original specific activity. The findings highlight the importance of carrier hydrophilicity and suggest that ionic interactions play a dominant role in the adsorption of LOx to these carriers.

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