Adsorption of Trichoderma reesei CBHI cellulase on silanized silica

Adsorption kinetics and surfactant-mediated elution of Trichoderma reesei CBHI cellulase were recorded in situ, at hydrophobic, silanized silica. Experiments were performed at different solution concentrations, ranging from 0.001 to 0.98 mg/mL. Adsorbed enzyme was partially elutable upon rinsing, with the amount of adsorbed mass remaining being highest at intermediate concentrations. In addition, the resistance to elution with buffer was generally lower at higher concentrations, and the resistance to elution with surfactant was generally lower at intermediate concentrations. These observations are tentatively explained with reference to a mechanism allowing for adsorption of associated monomers of CBHI as well as free monomers.