New supports for enzyme immobilization based on copolymers of vinylene carbonate and beta-hydroxyethylene acrylate

Vinylene carbonate (VCA), beta -hydroxyethylene acrylate, and N, N'-methyle ne bisacrylamide were dissolved in water, and the aqueous solutions were co polymerized via reverse-phase suspension copolymerization in paraffin oil. A series of hydrophilic and beaded supports containing reactive cyclic carb onate groups for enzyme immobilization were obtained. The supports were exa mined by coupling with trypsin, and the results showed that the amount of e nzymes coupled to the supports and the specific activity of the immobilized trypsin were related to the content of VCA structure units and the reactio n time. Meanwhile, the optimal pH and temperature, as well as the Michaelis -Menten constant K-m, for both native and immobilized trypsin were measured . (C) 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.