Hollow silica microspheres as robust immobilization carriers

Abstract Hollow silica microspheres provide an ideal solid support for enzyme immobilization. We tested one of the newest development, namely MATSPHERES®, a silica openwork material as a carrier for the covalent immobilization of enzymes used to synthesize bioactive compounds. Two model enzymes – ethylbenzene dehydrogenase and EL070 lipase – were considered. They belong to two different enzyme classes and catalyse reactions taking place in various environments (aqueous and non-aqueous, aerobic and anaerobic). The enzymes were immobilized by covalent bonds ( via divinyl sulfone and glutaraldehyde) on new silica material. Effectiveness of immobilization processes on the spheres grafted with amine groups and on the analogues without functionalization was determined for both enzymes. Microspheres were characterized morphologically and also their mechanical stability was examined during exposure to varying physical conditions. It was shown that MATSPHERES® due to their openwork structure and relative stability under batch and flow conditions can be a competitive SBA support for enzyme immobilization and production of bioactive compounds.