Monolithic bioreactors: Effect of chymotrypsin immobilization on its biocatalytic properties

The effect of different modes of α-chymotrypsin attachment to the surface of methacrylate-based ultrashort monolithic minicolumns on enzyme activity has been studied. The immobilization of protease was carried out via direct covalent binding of chymotrypsin, as well as via its attachment through small and polymer spacers. It was established that the lowest enzyme activity against N-benzoyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester was found for bioreactor obtained via direct attachment of chymotrypsin to the surface of GMA–EDMA minidisks, whereas the highest parameter close to that determined for dissolved enzyme was found in the case of bioreactor prepared by the introduction of copolymer of 2-deoxy-N-methacryloylamido-d-glucose with N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrolein as a long and flexible polymer spacer. Additionally, the effect of flow rate of substrate recirculation on bioconversion efficiency was examined. Independently on immobilization method, the increase of flow rate led to the raise of biocatalytic efficiency.