Determination of the distribution of catalyst activity across a permeable membrane containing an immobilized enzyme. Indeterminacy of a functional approach to a structural problem.

Porous membranes were fabricated from collodion and impregnated with papain, inhomogeneously through the thickness of the membrane. These membranes were placed between reservoirs containing N-alpha-benzoyl arginineamide, a substrate for the enzyme papain. The progress of the reaction was monitored by sampling the reservoirs on each side for ammonia, a reaction product. From these data the diffusion coefficient, enzyme activity, and distribution of enzyme activity of the membrane were estimated. The limitations of this approach are discussed in the context of the analysis of biological transport systems.