The successful preparation of enzyme biocatalysts is a crucial step for their usage at the industrial level, especially if such enzymes will be used in organic solvents, which commonly affect their structure and diminish their catalytic activity. Nonetheless, the use of enzymes in organic solvents presents several advantages, such as the transformation of substrates that are unstable or insoluble in water and the prevention of hydrolysis side reactions. To optimize their activity in organic solvents, enzymes are normally used after lyophilization or immobilization. The goal of this study was to determine the ability of glutaraldehyde to activate and stabilize the serine protease subtilisin Carlsberg in organic solvents. This enzyme was co-lyophilized with different concentrations of glutaraldehyde and the initial activity of each preparation was measured by gas chromatography.  The results showed a significant increase in enzymatic activity, suggesting that glutaraldehyde, a common cross-linking agent, has stabilization properties for the enzyme.

Enzyme activation and stabilization in organic solvents by glutaraldehyde

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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