What is enzyme immobilisation?

Enzyme immobilisation involves attaching or enclosing an enzyme onto a solid support or matrix to allow for reuse and to increase stability.

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Why is enzyme immobilisation important?

Enzyme immobilisation allows for the recycling and reuse of expensive enzymes in various industries.

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What are the advantages of enzyme immobilisation?

  1. Overall more cost effective
  2. Easily separated from reactants and products for greater product purity
  3. Improved stability

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How does enzyme immobilisation reduce costs?

Enzyme immobilisation reduces costs by allowing the reuse of enzymes, reducing the need to constantly purchase new ones.

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What is the benefit of immobilised enzymes producing enzyme-free products?

The production of enzyme-free products avoids contamination of the product with the enzyme.

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Why are immobilised enzymes more stable?

Immobilised enzymes are more stable because they are more tolerant of temperature and pH changes, reducing the likelihood of denaturation.

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How is lactose removed from milk to produce lactose-free milk?

Lactose is removed from milk by immobilising the enzyme lactase, which hydrolyses lactose into glucose and galactose.


Lactose-free milk can be used to make dairy-free products for lactose-intolerant individuals.

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What are the disadvantages of enzyme immobilisation?

  1. Higher initial costs for materials and bioreactors than for free enzymes and traditional fermenters
  2. Immobilisation may reduce an enzyme's activity, leading to reduced efficiency
  3. The reactor systems are complex and prone to more technical problems

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What are some of the methods by which enzymes can be immobilised?

  1. Enzymes may be bound to insoluble support materials by covalent bonds or ionic bonds
  2. Enzymes may be adsorbed onto the surface of insoluble support materials
  3. Enzymes may be trapped in a matrix or in a microcapsule
  4. Enzymes may be isolated by a partially permeable membrane

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