LYSIS OF MICROCOCCUS-LYSODEIKTICUS CELLS BY LYSOZYME COVALENTLY IMMOBILIZED ON THE LUMEN OF HOLLOW FIBERS

A lytic enzyme reactor for microbial cell lysis is described in which lysozyme is immobilized on the lumen of hemodialyzer hollow fibers usi ng epichlorohydrin as a coupling agent. The cell suspension flows thro ugh the lumen without any hindrance where the cells are lyzed by the i mmobilized lysozyme efficiently Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells at con centrations of 0.25 g/L and 5 g/L were successfully lyzed without clog ging the hollow fiber. In comparison with lysozyme immobilized on subm icron particles, the activity retention was at least 8 times higher.