THE USE OF INORGANIC MATERIALS TO CONTROL OR MAINTAIN IMMOBILIZED ENZYME-ACTIVITY

Data relating to the use of three inorganic materials (carbon, silica, and colloidal gold) as enzyme supports are presented. The influence o f the enzyme support matrix on the activity and stability of the immob ilized enzyme is discussed in terms of the different microenvironments provided by the immobilization matrix. Methods for controlling this m icroenvironment are discussed. Data are presented which demonstrate th e importance of the immobilization matrix in determining possible end use applications of immobilized enzymes. Data are presented which show that for several enzymes, a high level of activity is maintained when immobilization occurs on a colloidal gold sol. The desirability of co upling the redox activity of an immobilized enzyme to an electrode sur face is presented, and the use and efficiency of using colloidal gold to immobilize an enzyme on an electrode surface are discussed. Applica tions of colloidal gold-immobilized enzyme electrodes as biosensing de vices are presented.