STUDIES ON IMMOBILIZATION OF UREASE ON CELLULOSE-ACETATE MEMBRANE

Urease was immobilized on cellulose acetate membrane by entrapment. Th e activity yield and stability of urease immobilized membrane were inv estigated in catalyzing hydrolysis of urea. The experimental results s howed that the activity of urease membrane was related to water conten t of casting membrane solution. After the enzymatic membrane was used repeatedly for 10 times, the residual activity of urease on the membra ne retained 60% of its original. After storage at 4 degrees C for 3 mo nths almost no decrease of enzymatic activity was observed. The optima l pH and temperature of the hydrolysis reaction were also studied. The results showed that this urease immobilized membrane can be used unde r a wide operational condition.