Sustainable Lipase Immobilization: Chokeberry and Apple Waste as Carriers

In the modern world, the principles of the bioeconomy are becoming increasingly important. Recycling and reusability play a crucial role in sustainable development. Green chemistry is based on enzymes, but immobilized biocatalysts are still often designed with synthetic polymers. Insoluble carriers for immobilized biocatalysts, particularly those derived from agro-industrial waste such as mesoporous lignocellulosic materials, offer a promising alternative. By using waste materials as support for enzymes, we can reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and contribute to the development of efficient bioprocessing technologies. The current study aimed to assess the possibility of using apple and chokeberry pomace as carriers for the immobilization of Palatase 20000L (lipase from Rhizomucor miehei). The analysis of lignocellulosic materials revealed that chokeberry pomace has a higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and lignin contents than apple pomace. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations indicated similar compact structures in both pomaces. The lipase activity assays demonstrated that immobilization of lipase from R. miehei onto apple and chokeberry pomace improves their properties, especially the synthetic activity. The findings highlight the potential of utilizing fruit pomaces not only as a source of bioactive compounds but also in enhancing enzyme stability for industrial applications.