A novel support for enzyme adsorption: properties and applications of aerogels in low water media

Aerogels, because of their porosity, have a great ability to adsorb water, and this characteristic was exploited to extend the applicability of aeroge ls for the adsorption and entrapment of hydrolases to be used in organic me dia. The applicability of aerogels as solid supports for immobilisation of the enzymes PGA, thermolysin and alpha -chymotrypsin was assayed. By contro lling the distribution of water between the catalyst, the support and the r eaction medium, aerogel preserves the catalytic activity of the enzymes and prevents hydrolytic reactions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights r eserved.