Enzyme immobilization for use in nonconventional media

Abstract

Enzyme immobilization for use in nonconventional media requires a careful analysis of the biocatalyst as a whole and the experimental conditions at once. The reaction medium, the potential reaction of the enzyme with the components of the nonconventional reaction media, the physical and chemical interaction of the support with it, and the partitioning of the reagents and products within the different components of the reaction medium, all have to be analyzed before reaction. New nonconventional media (e.g., deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, multiphasic reaction media) is demonstrated to have several “niches” of application in the future, mainly in specialty production. Different additives may be included in the enzyme immobilization step to improve biocatalyst performance. The avoidance of enzyme leaching and biocatalyst protection from the negative impact of nonconventional media are the goals of different strategies at the pre- in situ and posttreatment of the immobilized enzymes to be used in nonconventional media.