ENZYME-BASED BIOARTIFICIAL POLYMERIC MATERIALS - THE ALPHA-AMYLASE-POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) SYSTEM

The possibility of realizing bioartificial polymeric materials from bl ends of the enzyme alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and poly(vinyl alcohol), in the form of him and hydrogel, was investigated. The interactions a t molecular level between the enzyme and the synthetic polymer have be en studied by calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry and morphological anal ysis. A certain degree of interaction through which the alpha-amylase molecules influence the crystallinity of the poly(vinyl alcohol) was o bserved. The thermal stability of the enzyme in the blends was enhance d, while its biological activity did not vary significantly. In additi on, hydrogels prepared by a freeze-thawing method can be considered su itable for manufacturing delivery systems capable of releasing enzymes which maintain their full biological activity.