Enzyme-carrying electrospun nanofibers.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Materials Science
• Enzyme Immobilization

Background:

• Nanofibers present an advantageous support for enzyme immobilization, balancing critical factors like surface area-to-volume ratio, mass transfer, loading capacity, and recyclability.
• Electrospinning is a versatile technique for fabricating nanofibers from various polymers, allowing control over physical properties crucial for enzyme support applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a protocol for preparing nanofibrous enzymes using electrospun polystyrene.
• To detail the synthesis, functionalization, and enzyme immobilization steps for creating these advanced biocatalytic materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and end-group functionalization of polystyrene.
• Fabrication of polystyrene nanofibers via electrospinning.
• Surface immobilization of enzymes onto nanofibers through covalent attachment.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a method for creating functionalized nanofibers suitable for enzyme immobilization.
• Established a protocol for covalent attachment of enzymes to the nanofibrous support.
• Highlighted the potential of nanofibers to enhance key performance metrics of immobilized enzymes.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun nanofibers provide a highly effective platform for enzyme immobilization.
• The described protocol offers a flexible and controllable approach to developing advanced biocatalytic systems.