Enzymes immobilized on polymeric supports as potential catalysts

Sandeep Chauhan

Abstract

Enzymes immobilized on polymeric supports are being extensively used for a number of chemical reactions and syntheses especially esterification, trans-esterification and enantioselective syntheses. The use of immobilized enzymes have several advantages including low cost product formation, reusability, rapid termination of reactions, ease of separation and many more. Immobilized enzymes have been reported to show enhanced thermal and chemical stability as compared to the free enzymes. The product formed is not only pure but yield is also higher as compared to free enzymes. Many reports regarding the use of immobilized enzymes as biocatalyst in esterification, trans-esterification reactions, and enantioselective hydrolysis are available in literature. The use of immobilized enzymes in place of hazardous chemicals (generally acids and bases) in chemical reactions/syntheses is an important step in the direction of green synthetic tools and processes. Some of the remarkable advantages those make the use of immobilized enzymes environmental friendly and in accordance with the basic principles of ‘Green Chemistry’ includes: use of simple benign operating conditions against the usual use of strong acids and bases, no separation of water is required as most of the polymeric supports/hydrogel are good water sorbent, no solvent and auxiliary chemical are required and high yields with high purity.