Preparation and characterization of Rhizopus amyloglucosidase immobilized on poly(o-toluidine)

The starch hydrolyzing enzyme amyloglucosidase (AMG) from Rhizopus was immobilized onto the protonated salt (TS) and basic (TB) forms of chemically synthesized poly(o-toluidine) (POT) using adsorption and covalent binding. The polymers were activated with glutaraldehyde prior to covalent bonding. The immobilization efficiency was affected by the pH of the immobilization medium, contact time and amount of enzyme. After immobilization, the pH and temperature were changed to conditions under which the enzyme is most active. Immobilized AMG was more stable with respect to changes in pH and increases in temperature compared to free AMG. The immobilized enzyme retained high catalytic activity after multiple uses and showed enhanced stability with storage compared to free enzyme.