What is Immobilized enzyme?
An '''immobilized enzyme''' is an [[enzyme]] that is attached to an [[Chemically inert|inert]], [[Solubility|insoluble]] material. This can provide a higher resistance to changes in condition such as [[pH]] or [[temperature]]. == Commercial use == Immobilised enzymes can be important for commercial uses as they have many benefits to the cost and processes of the reaction such as: * Convenience: small amounts of [[protein]] dissolve in the reaction so purification of the product is easier. * Economy: The immobilized enzyme is easily removed from the reaction so it can be recycled. This is useful in the production of [[Milk|lactose-free milk]] as the milk can be drained from a container leaving the enzyme ([[lactase]]) inside for the next batch. * Stability: Immobilised enzymes normally have a higher thermal and operational stability than the soluble form of the enzyme.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wu|first1=Hong|last2=Liang|first2=Yanpeng|last3=Shi|first3=Jiafu|last4=Wang|first4=Xiaoli|last5=Yang|first5=Dong|last6=Jiang|first6=Zhongyi|date=April 2013|title=Enhanced stability of catalase covalently immobilized on functionalized titania submicrospheres|journal=Materials Science and Engineering: C|volume=33|issue=3|pages=1438–1445|doi=10.1016/j.msec.2012.12.048|pmid=23827593}}</ref> * Safety: In the past, [[Detergent|biological washing powders]] contained [[Protease|proteases]] and [[Lipase|lipases]] that would break down dirt but also irritate the skin if it was touched - immobilization prevents this from happening == Methods == * Adsorption on [[glass]]: The enzyme is attached to a glass bead. * [[Covalent bond]]: The enzyme is bound covalently to a support (such as [[Silicon dioxide|silica gel]]). * Cross-linkage: Multiple enzymes are bound together to create a matrix. * Affinity-tag binding: Enzymes attached to a surface with [[Protein|protein tags]]. == References == <references /> [[Category:Cell biology]] [[Category:Enzymes]] [[Category:Microbiology]] [[Category:Stereochemistry]]