Immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa on Sepabeads(®): the effect of lipase oxidation by periodates.

The objective of this paper was the investigation of a suitable Sepabeads(®) support and method for immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa. Three different supports were used, two with amino groups, (Sepabeads(®) EC-EA and Sepabeads(®) EC-HA), differing in spacer length (two and six carbons, respectively) and one with epoxy group (Sepabeads(®) EC-EP). Lipase immobilization was carried out by two conventional methods (via epoxy groups and via glutaraldehyde), and with periodate method for modification of lipase. The results of activity assays showed that lipase retained 94.8% or 87.6% of activity after immobilization via epoxy groups or with periodate method, respectively, while glutaraldehyde method was inferior with only 12.7% of retention. The immobilization of lipase, previously modified by periodate oxidation, via amino groups has proven to be more efficient than direct immobilization of lipase via epoxy groups. In such a way immobilized enzyme exhibited higher activity at high reaction temperatures and higher thermal stability.