Simple and robust platforms allowing for the enhancement of enzyme activity retention and stability are highly desirable in industrial and academic settings. In this context, we report an environmentally friendly, inexpensive, facile approach to enhance the stability of enzymes, via a protein hydrogel interlocked in the fibers of cellulose paper. We have previously demonstrated a universal paper platform using EDC chemistry, bovine serum albumin, arginine, and the desired enzyme, that creates a bio-gel coating in less than five minutes. Here we have enhanced this technology with 3-5-layer graphene, synthesized using bovine serum albumin in our lab (biographene). The biographene acts as a biophilic, enzyme-stabilizing support, as well as an electron carrier, allowing for more efficient enzyme/substrate reactions. These biographene gels were drop-cast and coated onto Whatman 1 cellulose paper to create a porous, stable, and enzymatically active platform. Glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase were added to the graphene/hydrogel/cellulose conjugate, and the enzyme activity was tested using glucose as the substrate and an ABTS colorimetric assay. This synthesis approach allows for &gt;95% enzyme retention after extensive washing of the paper conjugates. The addition of biographene to the protein hydrogel has proven to enhance enzyme thermal stability up to 65C, and enzyme activity remains stable, when left at room temperature, for over a week. This established approach could be used for a variety of different temperature sensitive enzymes, as well as a range of different applications in bio-catalysis, bio-electronics, drug delivery, and sensing.

Biographene infused protein hydrogels interlocked in paper for biocatalysis and sensing applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

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