Enhanced temperature and pH stability of fatty amine-endoglucanase composites: fabrication, substrate protection, and biological activity

Abstract

Endoglucanase, one part of the multicomponent enzyme cellulase, is an extremely important enzyme in the textile industry (biopolishing), the pulp and paper industry (de-inking operations and recycling of used paper), and the detergent industry. One major problem in such applications is the inactivation of the enzyme at elevated temperatures and pH conditions. We present herein details of the encapsulation of this enzyme in thermally evaporated fatty amine films and studies of the enzymatic activity of the biocomposite film under different pH and temperature conditions. Substrate protection of the enzyme by carboxymethyl cellulose was essential to stabilize the enzyme against inactivation in the lipid matrix. The optimum operation temperature shifted to higher values relative to that of the free enzyme in solution. The enhanced stability at high temperatures coupled with significant catalytic activity of the enzyme-lipid biocomposite films at elevated pH conditions indicate immediate application of the biocomposite film in high temperature-high pH industrial applications.