Functionalized activated carbon as support for trypsin immobilization and its application in casein hydrolysis

This study aimed to immobilize trypsin on activated carbon submitted to different surface modifications and its application in casein hydrolysis. With the aim of determining which support can promote better maintenance of the immobilized enzyme. Results showed that pH 5.0 was obtained as optimal for immobilization and pH 9.0 for the casein hydrolysis reaction for activated carbon and glutaraldehyde functionalized carbon. Among the supports used, activated carbon modified with iron ions in the presence of a chelating agent was the one that showed best results, under the conditions evaluated in this study. Presenting an immobilization yield of 95.15% and a hydrolytic activity of 4.11 U, same as soluble enzyme (3.76 U). This derivative kept its activity stable at temperatures above 40 °C for1 h and when stored for 30 days at 5 °C. Furthermore, it was effective for more than 6 reuse cycles (under the same conditions as the 1st cycle). In general, immobilization of trypsin on metallized activated carbon can be an alternative to biocatalysis, highlighting the advantages of protease immobilization.