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Nonionic surfactants: a key to enhance the enzyme activity at cationic reverse micellar interface
Anshupriya Shome1, Sangita Roy, Prasanta Kumar Das
1Department of Biological Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Materials, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata - 700 032, India.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 14, 2007
Summary
Nonionic surfactants enhance enzyme activity in cationic water-in-oil microemulsions by modifying interfaces. This study shows improved lipase and peroxidase activity, surpassing traditional systems.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Enzyme catalysis is influenced by microenvironment.
- Water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions offer unique environments for enzymes.
- Cationic surfactants create specific interfacial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how nonionic surfactants alter cationic W/O microemulsion interfaces.
- To determine the effect of these modifications on enzyme catalytic efficiency.
- To compare enzyme activity in mixed surfactant systems with traditional ones.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays for Chromobacterium viscosum lipase (CV-lipase) and Horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
- Preparation of mixed reverse micelles using CTAB and various nonionic surfactants (Brij-30, Brij-92, Tween-20, Tween-80).
- Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy using 8-anilino-1-napthalenesulphonic acid (ANS) probe.
Main Results:
- Nonionic surfactants increased lipase activity up to 200% and HRP activity up to 2.5-fold.
- Highest lipase activity observed in CTAB + Brij-30 system, exceeding AOT/n-heptane systems.
- Activity enhancement attributed to reduced positive charge density and lower inhibitor concentration at interfaces.
Conclusions:
- Nonionic surfactants effectively modify cationic W/O microemulsion interfaces.
- This modification significantly boosts the catalytic activity of surface-active enzymes.
- Mixed surfactant systems offer superior enzyme performance compared to conventional W/O microemulsions.
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