In situ immobilization of alkaline protease during inverse suspension polymerization of polyacrylamide and poly(acrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogel beads

We report the in situ immobilization of alkaline protease in highly porous polyacrylamide and poly(acrylamide-co-methacrylic acidi hydrogel beads synt hesized by inverse suspension polymerization using ammonium persulfate, N,N ,N',N',-tetraethylmethylenediamine as the redox initiator. The influences o f reaction variables on the polymerization, conversion, enzymatic activity, water absorption, and LCST properties were studied in detail. Evaluation o f the enzymatic activities on various substrates was carried out for potent ial, applications in the detergent industry. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, In c.