Immobilization and stabilization of pectinase by multipoint attachment onto an activated agar-gel support

Pectinase was immobilized on an activated agar-gel support by multipoint attachment. The maximal activity of immobilized pectinase was obtained at 5 °C, pH 3.6, with a 24 h reaction time at an enzyme dose of 0.52 mg protein/g gel, and the gel was activated with 1.0 M glycidol. These conditions increased the thermal stability of the immobilized pectinase 19-fold compared with the free enzyme at 65 °C. The optimal temperature for pectinase activity changed from 40 to 50 °C after immobilization; however, the optimal pH remained unchanged. The immobilized enzyme also exhibited great operational stability, and an 81% residual activity was observed in the immobilized enzyme after 10 batch reactions.