[Live immobilized cells as biocatalysts of transformation and biosynthesis of organic compounds: a review].

The paper reviews the data concerning immobilization of liver microorganisms obtained by the author and found in the literature. The paper discusses different immobilization techniques maintaining cell viability (at least, in part): adsorption, covalent binding, incorporation into different gels (alginates, collagen, polyacrylamide gel, carrageens, etc). The paper summarizes the information about physiology and morphology of resting and growing immobilized cells. It describes the relationship between the level of stability of enzymic activity and cell viability in the course of semi--continuous and continuous transformations. It is emphasized that live immobilized cells can be widely used as highly active polyenzymic systems requiring no exogenous cofactors.