Development and characterization of bentonite/wGLP systems

Bentonite (Bent) clay is a component of soil with useful properties for enzyme adsorption. In this work, the previously characterized antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme named wGLP by wheat germin-like protein was immobilized in raw (Bent) and modified bentonites (Bent-DDA). The physicochemical characterizations of both supports were carried out. Successful adsorption of wGLP onto Bent and Bent-DDA occurred on the surface and within the interlayer spacing as was revealed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The release of wGLP at different times and pHs was tested. While wGLP remained almost totally immobilized into Bent-DDA up to 96 h, it was released from Bent to reach nearly 60% after 72 h at pH 7.5 and preserving its SOD activity. Since tomato cell viability under the presence of Bent-wGLP was maintained, Bent-wGLP complexes are potential carriers of antioxidants in tomato cell suspension cultures.