Polymeric amylase nanoparticles as a new semi-synthetic enzyme system for hydrolysis of starch

α-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1; α-d-1,4,glucan glucanohydrolase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of α-d-(1,4)-glucosidic linkages in starch, glycogen, and various malto-oligosaccharides, by releasing α-anomeric products. In this study, a novel method has been developed to prepare nanoprotein particles that carry α-amylase as a monomer by using a photosensitive microemulsion polymerization process. The nanostructured α-amylase with photosensitive features have been characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Zeta Sizer. The fluorescence intensity of amylase nanoparticles was determined to be 658 a.u. at 610 nm and the average particle size of nanoamylase was found to be about 71.8 nm. Both free α-amylase and nanoparticles were used in the hydrolysis of starch under varying reaction conditions such as pH and temperature that affect enzyme activity and the results were compared to each other. K_m values were 0.26 and 0.87 mM and V_max values were 0.36 IU mg^? 1 and 22.32 IU mg^? 1 for nanoenzyme and free enzyme, respectively. Then, thermal stability, storage stability and reusability were investigated and according to the results, activity was preserved 60% at 60 °C; 20% at 70–80 °C temperature values and 80% after 105 days storage. Finally after 10 cycles, the activity was preserved 90% and this novel enzymatic polymeric amylase nanoparticle has showed considerable potential as reusable catalyst.     

Reactive red 120 and NI(II) derived poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanoparticles for urease adsorption

Non‐porous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [p(HEMA)] nanoparticles were prepared by surfactant free emulsion polymerization. The p(HEMA) nanoparticles was about 200 nm diameter, spherical form, and non‐porous. Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) was covalently attached to the p(HEMA) nanoparticles and Ni(II) ions were incorporated to attach dye molecules. Urease was immobilized onto RR120‐Ni(II) attached p(HEMA) nanoparticles via adsorption. The maximum urease adsorption capacity of RR120‐Ni(II) attached p(HEMA) nanoparticles was 480.01 mg g^?1 nanoparticles at pH 7.0 in phosphate buffer. It was observed that urease could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed without significant loss in adsorption amount. K_m values were 21.50 and 34.06 mM for the free and adsorbed enzyme. The V_max values were 4 U for the free enzyme and 3.3 U for the adsorbed enzyme. The optimum pH was 25 mM pH 7 phosphate buffer for free and adsorbed enzyme. The optimum temperature was determined at 35°C and 55°C for the free and adsorbed enzyme, respectively. These findings show considerable promise for this material as an adsorption matrix in biotechnological applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39757.     

New generation polymeric nanospheres for lysozyme adsorption

Novel hydrophobic nanospheres with an average size of 100 nm utilizing N‐methacryloyl‐(l)‐tryptophan methyl ester (MAT) as a hydrophobic monomer were prepared by surfactant free emulsion polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and MAT. MAT was synthesized using methacryloyl chloride and l‐tryptophan methyl ester. Specific surface area of the nonporous nanospheres was found to be 1914 m²/g. Poly(HEMA–MAT) nanospheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Average particle size, size distribution, and surface charge measurements were also performed. Elemental analysis of MAT for nitrogen was estimated as 1.95 mmol/g polymer. Then, poly(HEMA–MAT) nanospheres were used in the adsorption of lysozyme in batch system. Using an optimized adsorption protocol, a very high loading of 1075 mg lysozyme/g nanosphere was obtained. The adsorption phenomena appeared to follow a typical Langmuir isotherm. It was observed that enzyme could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed without significant loss in adsorption amount or enzyme activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Congo red- and Zn(II)-derivatized monosize poly(MMA-HEMA) microspheres as specific sorbent in metal chelate affinity of albumin

Monosize poly(methylmethacrylate-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) [poly(MMA-HEMA)] microspheres (4 μm in diameter) were produced by dispersion copolymerization of MMA and HEMA in an ethanol-water medium. Congo Red was attached to the poly(MMA-HEMA) microspheres, covalently. These Congo Red-derivatized microspheres were characterized by optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Then, Zn(II) ions were incorporated by chelating with the immobilized Congo Red molecules. Different amounts of Zn(II) ions [1.2–17.6 mg of Zn(II)/g of polymer] were conjugated on the microspheres by changing the initial concentration of Zn(II) ions and pH. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on these microspheres from aqueous solutions containing different amounts of BSA at different pH and ionic strengths was investigated in batch reactors. The nonspecific BSA adsorption on the plain poly(MMA-HEMA) microspheres was very low (0.7 mg of BSA/g of polymer). Congo Red derivatization significantly increased the BSA adsorption (up to 35.8 mg of BSA/g of polymer). A further increase in the adsorption capacity (up to 61.0 mg of BSA/g of polymer) was observed when Zn(II) ions were incorporated. More than 90% of the adsorbed BSA was desorbed in 1 h in the desorption medium containing 1.0M NaSCN at pH 8.0. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

In vitro cadmium removal from human serum by Cibacron Blue F3GA–thionein‐complex conjugated affinity membranes

A new membrane affinity biosorbent carrying thionein has been developed for selective removal of cadmium ions from human serum. Microporous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) membranes were prepared by photopolymerization of HEMA. The pseudo dye ligand Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was covalently immobilized on the pHEMA membranes. Then, the cysteine‐rich metallopeptide thionein was conjugated onto the CB‐immobilized membrane. The maximum amounts of CB immobilized and thionein conjugated on the membranes were 1.07 µmol cm⁻² and 0.92 µmol cm⁻², respectively. The hydrophilic pHEMA membrane had a swelling ratio of 58% (w/w) with a contact angle of 45.8 °. CB‐immobilized and CB‐immobilized–thionein‐conjugated membranes were used in the Cd(II) removal studies. Cd(II) ion adsorption appeared to reach equilibrium within 30 min and to follow a typical Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum capacity (q _m) of the CB‐immobilized membranes was 0.203 (µmol Cd(II)) cm⁻² membrane and increased to 1.48 (µmol Cd(II)) cm⁻² upon CB–thionein‐complex conjugation. The pHEMA membranes retained their cadmium adsorption capacity even after 10 cycles of repeated use. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dye derived and metal incorporated affinity poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) membranes for use in enzyme immobilization

Microporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) membranes were prepared by UV-initiated photopolymerization of HEMA in the presence of an initiator (α,α′-azobisisobutyronitrile, AIBN). An affinity dye Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was attached covalently and then Fe³⁺ ions incorporated. The PHEMA-CB and PHEMA-CB-Fe³⁺ membranes derived were used for adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOD). The adsorption capacities of these membranes were determined under conditions of different pH and with different concentrations of the adsorbate in the medium. The adsorption phenomena appeared to follow a typical Langmuir isotherm. The glucose oxidase adsorption capacity of the Fe³⁺ incorporated membrane (87μgcm^-2) was greater than that of the dye-derived membrane (66μgcm^-2). Non-specific adsorption of the glucose oxidase on the PHEMA membranes was negligible. The K_m values for both immobilized glucose oxidase PHEMA-CB-GOD (8·3) and PHEMA-CB-Fe³⁺-GOD (7·6) were higher than that of the free enzyme (6·2mM). Optimum reaction pH was 5·5 for the free and 6·0 for both immobilized preparations. The optimum reaction temperature of the adsorbed enzymes was 5°C higher than that of the free enzyme and was significantly broader. After 15 successive uses the retained activity of the adsorbed enzyme was 87%. It was observed that enzymes could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed on the derived PHEMA membranes without significant loss in adsorption capacity or enzymic activity. © 1998 SCI.     

Preparation of a novel metal‐chelate affinity beads for albumin isolation from human plasma

In this study, we developed a novel approach to obtain a high protein‐adsorption capacity utilizing 2‐methacryloylamidohistidine (MAH) as a biollgand. MAH was synthesized by reacting methacryloyl chloride and histidine. Spherical beads, with an average size of 150–200 μm, were obtained by the radical suspension polymerization of MAH, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. p(EGDMA–HEMA–MAH) beads had a specific surface area of 17.6 m²/g. The synthesized MAH monomer was characterized by NMR. p(EGDMA–HEMA–MAH) beads were characterized by a swelling test, FTIR, and elemental analysis. Then, Cu(II) ions were incorporated into the beads and Cu(II) loading was found to be 0.96 mmol/g. These beads, with a swelling ratio of 65% and containing 1.6 mmol MAH/g, were used in the adsorption/desorption of human serum albumin (HSA) from both aqueous solutions and human serum. The adsorption of HSA onto p(EGDMA–HEMA–MAH) was low (8.8 mg/g). Cu(II) chelation onto the beads significantly increased the HSA adsorption (56.3 mg/g). The maximum HSA adsorption was observed at pH 8.0 Higher HSA adsorption was observed from human serum (94.6 mg HSA/g). Adsorptions of other serum proteins were obtained as 3.7 mg/g for fibrinogen and 8.5 mg/g for γ‐globulin. The total protein adsorption was determined as 107.1 mg/g. Desorption of HSA was obtained using a 0.1M Tris/HCI buffer containing 0.5M NaSCN. High desorption ratios (to 98% of the adsorbed HSA) were observed. It was possible to reuse Cu(II)‐chelated p(EGDMA–HEMA–MAH) beads without significant decreases in the adsorption capacities. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2840–2847, 2003     

Cu(II)‐incorporated,histidine‐containing,magnetic‐metal‐complexing beads as specific sorbents for the metal chelate affinity of albumin

N‐Methacryloyl‐(L )‐histidine methyl ester (MAH) was synthesized from metharyloyl chloride and histidine. Spherical beads with an average size of 150–250 μm were obtained by the suspension polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and MAH in an aqueous dispersion medium. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐co‐N‐Methacryloyl‐(L )‐histidine methyl ester) [m‐p(EGDMA‐co‐MAH)] microbeads were characterized with swelling tests, electron spin resonance, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The specific surface area of the beads was 80.1 m²/g. m‐p(EGDMA‐co‐MAH) microbeads with a swelling ratio of 40.2% and 43.9 μmol of MAH/g were used for the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a batch system. The Cu(II) concentration was 4.1 μmol/g. The adsorption capacity of BSA on the Cu(II)‐incorporated beads was 19.2 mg of BSA/g. The BSA adsorption first increased with the BSA concentration and then reached a plateau, which was about 19.2 mg of BSA/g. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 5.0, which was the isoelectric point of BSA. The BSA adsorption increased with decreasing temperature, and the maximum adsorption was achieved at 4°C. High desorption ratios (>90% of the adsorbed BSA) were achieved with 1.0M NaSCN (pH 8.0) in 30 min. The nonspecific adsorption of BSA onto the m‐p(EGDMA‐co‐MAH) beads was negligible. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2669–2677, 2004     

Immobilization of glucoamylase on the plain and on the spacer arm‐attached poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres

Immobilization glucoamylase onto plain and a six‐carbon spacer arm (i.e., hexamethylene diamine, HMDA) attached poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate‐ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) [poly(HEMA‐EGDMA] microspheres was studied. The microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization and the spacer arm was attached covalently by the reaction of carbonyl groups of poly(HEMA‐EGDMA). Glucoamylase was then covalently immobilized either on the plain of microspheres via CNBr activation or on the spacer arm‐attached microspheres via CNBr activation and/or using carbodiimide (CDI) as a coupling agent. Incorporation of the spacer arm resulted an increase in the apparent activity of the immobilized enzyme with respect to enzyme immobilized on the plain of the microspheres. The activity yield of the immobilized glucoamylase on the spacer arm‐attached poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres was 63% for CDI coupling and 82% for CNBr coupling. This was 44% for the enzyme, which was immobilized on the plain of the unmodified poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres via CNBr coupling. The K_m values for the immobilized glucoamylase preparations (on the spacer arm‐attached microspheres) via CDI coupling 0.9% dextrin (w/v) and CNBr coupling 0.6% dextrin (w/v) were higher than that of the free enzyme 0.2% dextrin (w/v).The temperature profiles were broader for both immobilized preparations than that of the free enzyme. The operational inactivation rate constants (k_iop) of immobilized enzymes were found to be 1.42 × 10^?5 min^?1 for CNBr coupled and 3.23 × 10^?5 min^?1 for CDI coupled glucoamylase. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2702–2710, 2001     

Adsorption of heavy‐metal ions on poly(ethylene imine)‐immobilized poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres carrying poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) were prepared for the removal of heavy‐metal ions (copper, cadmium, and lead) from aqueous solutions with different amounts of these ions (50–600 mg/L) and different pH values (3.0–7.0). Ester groups in the PMMA structures were converted to imine groups in a reaction with PEI as a metal‐chelating ligand in the presence of NaH. The adsorption of heavy‐metal ions on the unmodified PMMA microspheres was very low [3.6 μmol/g for Cu(II), 4.6 μmol/g for Cd(II), and 4.2 μmol/g for Pb(II)]. PEI immobilization significantly increased the heavy‐metal adsorption [0.224 mmol/g for Cu(II), 0.276 mmol/g for Cd(II), and 0.126 mmol/g for Pb(II)]. The affinity order of adsorption (in moles) was Cd(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II). The adsorption of heavy‐metal ions increased with increasing pH and reached a plateau value around pH 5.5. Their adsorption behavior was approximately described with the Langmuir equation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 197–205, 2001