Concanavalin A layered calcium alginate-starch beads immobilized beta galactosidase as a therapeutic agent for lactose intolerant patients.

A novel therapeutic agent in the form of beta galactosidase immobilized on the surface of concanavalin A layered calcium alginate-starch beads has been developed. Immobilized beta galactosidase exhibited significantly very high stability against conditions of digestive system such as pH, salivary amylase, pepsin and trypsin. Soluble and immobilized beta galactosidase exhibited same pH-optima. However, the immobilized enzyme retained greater fraction of catalytic activity at higher and lower pH to pH-optima as compared to soluble enzyme. Immobilized enzyme preparation was quite stable under conditions present in mouth, stomach and intestine. Immobilized beta galactosidase retained 65% activity even after its sixth repeated use.