Enzyme Immobilization: The Quest for Optimum Performance

TLDR

Enzyme immobilization is key to optimizing industrial enzyme performance, especially in non‑aqueous media. This review critically examines various enzyme immobilization methods. The authors categorize immobilization into support binding, polymer entrapment, and enzyme cross‑linking, highlighting recent advances such as mesoporous silicas, hydrogels, smart polymers, and CLEAs.

Abstract

Abstract Immobilization is often the key to optimizing the operational performance of an enzyme in industrial processes, particularly for use in non‐aqueous media. Different methods for the immobilization of enzymes are critically reviewed. The methods are divided into three main categories, viz. (i) binding to a prefabricated support (carrier), (ii) entrapment in organic or inorganic polymer matrices, and (iii) cross‐linking of enzyme molecules. Emphasis is placed on relatively recent developments, such as the use of novel supports, e.g., mesoporous silicas, hydrogels, and smart polymers, novel entrapment methods and cross‐linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs).