The properties of covalently immobilized trypsin on soap-free P(MMA-EA-AA) latex particles

The covalent immobilization of trypsin onto poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-(ethyl acrylate)-co-(acrylic acid)] latex particles, produced by a soap-free emulsion polymerization technique, was carried out using the carbodiimide method. The catalytic properties and kinetic parameters, as well as the stability of the immobilized enzyme were compared to those of the free enzyme. Results showed that the optimum temperature and pH for the immobilized trypsin in the hydrolysis of casein were 55 degrees C and 8.5, both of which were higher than that of the free form. It was found that K-m, (Michaelis constant) was 45.7 mg . ml(-1) and V-max (maximal reaction rate) was 793.0 mu g (.) min(-1) for immobilized trypsin, compared to a K-m of 30.0 mg (.) ml(-1) and a V-max of 5 467.5 mu g (.) min(-1) for free trypsin. The immobilized trypsin exhibited much better thermal and chemical stabilities than its free counterpart and maintained over 63% of its initial activity after reusing ten times.