Pinus residue/pectin-based composite hydrogels for the immobilization of β-D-galactosidase

The aim of this work was to synthesize pinus residue/pectin-based composite hydrogels for the immobilization of β-D-galactosidase. These hydrogels were synthesized via chemical crosslinking, and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical assays, X-ray diffraction, and swelling kinetics. The water absorption mechanism in the hydrogel networks occurs by non-Fickian transport. The β-D-galactosidase immobilization capacities of the hydrogels containing 0, 5 and 10% of pinus residue were respectively 242.08 ± 0.36, 181.27 ± 0.50 and 182.71 ± 0.36 mg enzyme per g dried hydrogel, at pH 4.0 and after 600 min. These values were 182.99 ± 0.41, 219.99 ± 0.47 and 218.56 ± 0.39 mg g^-1, respectively, at pH 5.6. Pectin-based hydrogels demonstrated to be excellent solid supports for the immobilization of enzymes. β-D-Galactosidase immobilized in pectin-based hydrogels could be applied in the hydrolysis of lactose contained in either dairy foods or lactose-intolerant individuals.