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Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-decorated polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles with mean hydrodynamic diameter (D) and zeta-potential (ζ) of (286 ± 15) nm and (-50 ± 5) mV, respectively, were modified by the adsorption of Congo red (CR). The PS/PEG/CR particles presented D and ζ values of (290 ± 19) nm and (-36 ± 5) mV, respectively. The adsorption of lipase onto PS/PEG or PS/PEG/CR particles at (24 ± 1) °C and pH 7 changed the mean D value to (380 ± 20) and (405 ± 11) nm, respectively, and ζ value to (-32 ± 4) mV and (-25 ± 2) mV, respectively. The kinetic parameters of the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate were determined for free lipase, lipase immobilized onto PS/PEG and PS/PEG/CR particles. Lipase on PS/PEG/CR presented the largest Michaelis-Menten constant (KM), but also the highest Vmax and kcat values. Moreover, it could be recycled seven times, losing a maximum 10% or 30% of the original enzymatic activity at 40 °C or 25 °C, respectively. Although lipases immobilized onto PS/PEG particles presented the smallest KM values, the reactions were comparatively the slowest and recycling was not possible. Hydrolysis reactions performed in the temperature range of 25 °C to 60 °C with free lipases and lipases immobilized onto PS/PEG/CR particles presented an optimal temperature at 40 °C. At 60 °C free lipases and lipases immobilized onto PS/PEG/CR presented ~80% and ~50% of the activity measured at 40 °C, indicating good thermal stability. Bioconjugation effects between CR and lipase were evidenced by circular dichroism spectroscopy and spectrophotometry. CR molecules mediate the open state conformation of the lipase lid and favor the substrate approaching.

Poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, decorated polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta (ζ) potential measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of Congo red (CR) onto PS/PEG particles was evidenced by the decrease of ζ potential values and increase in the particles mean diameter in comparison to bare particles. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx), the main enzyme in the oxidation of cholesterol, adsorbed onto PS/PEG and PS/PEG/CR particles, as revealed by the increase in the particles mean size and spectrophotometry. The enzymatic activity of free and immobilized ChOx was determined as a function of time by means of a coupled reaction with horseradish peroxidase. The activity of free ChOx decreased with time, while the activity of immobilized ChOx increased with time; after 1h reaction the latter was half of the former. Freeze-drying the ChOx covered PS/PEG/CR particles allowed their storage for at least one month under room conditions without loss of enzymatic activity. Conjugation effects between CR and ChOx or cholesterol evidenced by circular dichroism and spectrophotometry rendered a conformational state of ChOx, such that the enzymatic action was favored. ChOx adsorbed onto PS/PEG presents no enzymatic activity, probably due to ChOx denaturation or unfavorable orientation. Freeze-dried and freshly prepared dispersions of ChOx immobilized onto PS/PEG/CR particles yielded linear response in the cholesterol concentration range of 100mgdL(-1) (lowest limit of normal blood concentration) to 300mgdL(-1) (high risk level)., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cellulase, an enzymatic complex that synergically promotes the degradation of cellulose to glucose and cellobiose, free or adsorbed onto Si/SiO(2) wafers at 60°C has been employed as catalyst in the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), microcrystalline cellulose pre-treated with hot phosphoric acid (CP), cotton cellulose (CC) and eucalyptus cellulose (EC). The physical characteristics such as index of crystallinity (I(C)), degree of polymerization (DP) and water sorption values were determined for all samples. The largest conversion rates of cellulose into the above-mentioned products using free cellulase were observed for samples with the largest water sorption values; conversion rates showed no correlation with either I(C) or DP of the biopolymer. Cellulose with large water sorption value possesses large pore volumes, hence higher accessibility. The catalytic efficiency of immobilized cellulase could not be correlated with the physical characteristics of cellulose samples. The hydrolysis rates of the same cellulose samples with immobilized cellulase were lower than those by the free enzyme, due to the diffusion barrier (biopolymer chains approaching to the immobilized enzyme) and less effective contact between the enzyme active site and its substrate. Immobilized cellulase, unlike its free counterpart, can be recycled at least six times without loss of catalytic activity, leading to higher overall cellulose conversion., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cellulase is an enzymatic complex which synergically promotes the degradation of cellulose to glucose. The adsorption behavior of cellulase from Trichoderma reesei onto Si wafers or amino-terminated surfaces was investigated by means of ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a function of temperature. Upon increasing temperature from (24 +/- 1) to (60 +/- 1) degrees C, adsorption of cellulase became faster and more pronounced and the mean roughness of cellulase adsorbed layers increased. In the case of cellulase adsorbed onto Si wafers, Arrhenius's plot allowed us to estimate the adsorption energy as 24.2 kJ mol(-1). The hydrolytic activity of free cellulase and cellulase immobilized onto Si wafers was tested using cellulose dispersions as substrates. The incubation temperature ranged from (37 +/- 1) to (60 +/- 1) degrees C. The highest efficiency was observed at (60 +/- 1) degrees C. The amount of glucose produced by free cellulase was approximately 20% higher than that obtained from immobilized cellulase. However, immobilizing cellulase onto Si wafers proved to be advantageous because they could be reused six times while retaining their original activity level. Such an effect was attributed to surface hydration, which prevents enzyme denaturation. The hydrolytic activity of cellulase immobilized onto amino-terminated surfaces was slightly lower than that observed for cellulase adsorbed onto Si wafers, and reuse was not possible.

Chitosan (CH) decorated polystyrene (PS) particles were synthesized within complexes of CH, a polycation under acid conditions, and tiny amounts of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Particle characterization was performed by means of dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. All dispersions were stable in the ionic strength of 2.0 mol L-1 NaCl during 2 months. The outstanding colloidal stability was attributed to the presence of a hydrated CH layer around the particles. CH decorated PS particles were attached to atomic force microscopy cantilevers and probed against Si wafers in water and in NaCl 0.01 mol/L. The mean thickness of CH layer amounted to 35 +/- 11 and 16 +/- 6 nm, when the medium was water and NaCl 0.01 mol/L, respectively. Adsorption isotherm of hexokinase (HK) onto PS/CH particles studied by means of spectrophotometry showed three regions: an initial step; adsorption plateau and multilayer formation. Enzymatic activity of free HK and immobilized HK was monitored by means of spectrophotometry as a function of storing time and reuse. After 3 days, storing HK free in solution dramatically lost its catalytic properties. On the contrary, HK-covered PS/CH particles retained enzymatic activity over 1 month. Moreover, HK-covered PS/CH particles could be reused in the determination of glucose two times consecutively, without losing activity. These interesting findings were discussed in light of the role of water in enzyme conformation.

The study on the adsorption of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto silicon wafers was carried out by means of in situ ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements. A smooth HRP layer adsorbed onto Si wafers. The enzymatic activity of free or adsorbed HRP was determined by the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and by the emulsion polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Upon adsorbing, HRP molecules might have undergone some conformational changes, which caused a small reduction of enzymatic activity in comparison to that observed for HRP solution. However, it was possible to reuse the same HRP-covered Si wafer as catalyst in the polymerization of EGDMA three times.