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A Potentially Versatile Enzyme Sensor Platform: Enzyme-Loaded, Tagged, Porous Polymeric Nanocapsules
Bradley P Hambly1, Chandler Sears1, Bradford D Pendley1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States.
ACS Sensors
|February 19, 2024
Summary
This study developed porous nanocapsules to protect enzymes like glucose oxidase (GOx), preserving their activity for biosensing applications. These stable enzyme nanocapsules show promise for industrial and medical uses.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Enzyme Engineering
Background:
- Enzymes are vital industrial catalysts but suffer from poor stability.
- Existing enzyme immobilization methods are often enzyme- or application-specific.
- Enhanced enzyme stability is crucial for broader industrial and medical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the use of porous, indicator-tagged polymeric nanocapsules for enzyme encapsulation and substrate measurement.
- To synthesize and characterize glucose oxidase (GOx)-loaded, fluorophore-tagged nanocapsules.
- To evaluate the stability and activity of encapsulated GOx.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-loaded, fluorophore-tagged nanocapsules synthesized using self-assembled surfactant vesicle templates.
- Measurement of GOx-catalyzed reaction rates to confirm preserved biological activity.
- Evaluation of encapsulated GOx stability in the presence of hydrolytic enzymes.
Main Results:
- GOx activity decay was less than 10% during encapsulation and purification.
- Up to 30% of encapsulated GOx activity was retained for 3-5 days in the presence of hydrolytic enzymes.
- Proof-of-concept: Fluorophore-tagged, GOx-loaded nanocapsules determined glucose concentrations (18-162 mg/dL) and enabled glucose imaging.
Conclusions:
- Porous nanocapsules effectively protect encapsulated enzymes, preserving their activity.
- The developed nanocapsules offer enhanced enzyme stability for practical applications.
- This approach provides a versatile platform for enzyme immobilization and biosensing.
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