A NEW METHOD FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF BETA-GALACTOSIDASE AND ITS UTILIZATION IN A PLUG-FLOW REACTOR

A new method for the immobilization of beta-galactosidase was develope d which involved entrapment of the enzyme in cobalt alginate beads wit h a relative activity of 83%, the highest activity reported in the lit erature for beta-galactosidase immobilization. Enzyme leakage was avoi ded by treatment with glutaraldehyde solution (1%) following which the relative activity (83%) was stable. The effect of pH and temperature on enzyme activity and reusability were investigated. This method yiel ded high activity and good physico-chemical characteristics and the im mobilized particles were used in a plug flow reactor. The effects of t he residence time and substrate concentration on productivity were inv estigated. The effect of temperature on operating time was also studie d. This method could potentially be applied to be a general system for immobilization of different enzymes which are not inactivated by coba lt salts. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.