Properties of immobilized pepsin on Modified PMMA microspheres

In this work we use micro-size poly(methyl methacrylate)/acrylaldehyde microspheres as a support for pepsin immobilization. The aldehyde groups on the microspheres offer a very simple, mild and firm combination for enzyme immobilization. The amount of enzyme we can bind to this support reaches 82 mg/g, which is much higher than for other supports (mostly less than 10 mg/g). Compared to free enzyme, the Km of immobilized enzyme is increased, whereas the Vmax is decreased. Further, the Vmax/Km value for immobilized pepsin is about 50% of the value for free enzyme. This is better than values reported previously, generally lower than 35%. The optimum temperature shifts from 43 degrees C for free pepsin to 47 degrees C. However, the optimum pH does not change between free and immobilized enzyme. This improved resistance of the immobilized enzyme towards changes in temperature and pH also shows that the aldehyde modified poly(methyl methacrylate)/acrylaldehyde microspheres can be a valuable support for pepsin immobilization.