IMMOBILIZATION OF MERCURIC REDUCTASE FROM A PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA STRAINON DIFFERENT ACTIVATED CARRIERS

Mercuric reductase was isolated from Pseudomonas putida KT2442::mer-73 and immobilized on chromatographic carriers activated by various meth ods. The immobilization methods for covalent coupling were compared wi th regard to preservation of enzymatic activity and coupling yields. H ighest yields were obtained with carriers bearing the most reactive fu nctional groups. Best results were achieved with tresyl chloride-activ ated carriers. The optimum binding conditions were found at pH 8. Appl ication of the immobilized mercuric reductase for continuous treatment of Hg(II)-containing water was examined in a fixed bed reactor. Space -time yields up to 510 nmol/min.ml were attained. The kinetics of immo bilized enzyme systems were not diffusion-controlled