Enzymatic conversion of Baicalin into Baicalein by β-glucuronidase encapsulated in biomimetic core-shell structured hybrid capsules

In this study, Baicalein was produced through an enzymatic conversion catalyzed by β-glucuronidase (GUS) encapsulated in biomimetic alginate/protamine/silica (APSi) capsules. Experimental results indicated that the thermal and pH tolerance as well as the storage and recycling stability of GUS were significantly improved after encapsulation. Under the optimum conversion conditions (37 °C, pH 7), a high productivity of Baicalein (73%) was obtained. No loss in enzyme activity was observed after 11-day storage and 90% of the initial activity remained after 26-day storage. No appreciable loss in activity was found during 10 repeated reaction cycles. The facile encapsulation process, the high conversion efficiency and the enhanced stability set an encouraging example for converting natural compounds into high value-added functional products.