Immobilized Biomaterials—Techniques and Applications

Abstract

Abstract The immobilization of enzymes, cofactors and whole cells offers the potential of economical exploitation of biomaterial activity. Enzymes or cells can be immobilized by binding to carriers through adsorption or covalent linkages or by entrapment in a polymer matrix or microencapsulation. The development of immobilized biomaterial systems requires the involvement of biochemical, kinetics and reactor design principles. Examples of commercial scale applications of immobilized biomaterial systems are the production of a fructose‐rich syrup from starch and the synthesis of L ‐amino acids by selective hydrolysis of N ‐acyl‐ D , L ‐amino acids.