OPTIMIZATION STUDIES ON THE FEATURES OF AN ACTIVATED CHARCOAL-SUPPORTED UREASE SYSTEM

The adsorption of urease onto a well-defined solid support, petroleum- based activated charcoal, has been achieved to provide the enzymatic h ydrolysis of urea. In order to produce a biocompatible surface, the en zyme support system has been coated with hexamethyldisiloxane through plasma polymerization. The quality of the resulting coat was tested by electronic spectroscopy for chemical analysis and scanning electron m icroscopy techniques. Studies on the adsorption of urease, and activit y and stability of the enzyme on the support have been in the directio n to optimize the features of the charcoal-supported urease and improv e its availability for further use in clinical applications. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.