The enzyme coupling process in urease immobilization on O-alkylated nylon tubes

Coupling of Jack bean urease (EC 3.5.1.5) to the inside surface of type 6 nylon tubes, activated by high-temperature O-alkylation with dimethyl sulphate and modified subsequently with lysine and glutaraldehyde, was investigated to establish optimal experimental conditions for the coupling process. For the system described, the most active immobilized urease derivatives were prepared with 2 mg/ml of the solubilized urease solution and use of higher enzyme concentrations proved wasteful. Although urease coupling without thermal denaturation of the solubilized enzyme was achieved at 20 degrees C, derivatives prepared at 37 degrees C yielded maximal activity over the 3 h coupling period. Also, longer incubations of the enzyme solution in the tube were unnecessary under these conditions. Optimal pH for the coupling process was 6.5, one at which the solubilized enzyme was most stable.