SOLUBLE AND IMMOBILIZED CATALASE - EFFECT OF PRESSURE AND INHIBITION ON KINETICS AND DEACTIVATION

This article examines the effect of pressure on the steady-state kinet ics and long-term deactivation of the enzyme catalase supported on por ous alumina. The reaction studied is the decomposition of hydrogen per oxide. The results of studies carried out in a continuous stirred-tank reactor under isothermal conditions are presented and compared with r esults obtained for soluble catalase. For soluble catalase, it is foun d that in the range of pressures studied, the oxygen flow rate increas es with increase in pressure up to a certain value and then decreases. Hydrogen peroxide concentration appears to have a strong influence on pressure effects. With immobilized catalase, the pressure effects are not as prominent. Fluorescent microscopy studies of the immobilized e nzyme suggest that this is probably because of pore diffusional limita tions.