Immobilisation of Fenugreek β-amylase on chitosan/PVP blend and chitosan coated PVC beads: A comparative study

A Box-Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilised for optimisation of parameters affecting immobilisation of Fenugreek β-amylase on chitosan coated PVC (polyvinyl chloride) beads and beads made from chitosan/PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) blend, which resulted in 85.2% and 81% immobilisation efficiency, respectively. Immobilisation resulted in shift of pH optima while the optimum temperature remained unaffected. Enhancement in thermal stability of the enzyme was observed on conjugation with both the matrices. The immobilised enzyme appeared suitable for industrial applications due to the non-toxic nature of chosen matrices, ease of immobilisation procedure, enhanced stability and reusability with retention of 72% and 60% residual activity after 10 uses for the enzyme immobilised on chitosan coated PVC beads and on the beads of chitosan/PVP blend, respectively.