Enzyme Immobilization on Nanomaterials and Their Applications

Immobilizing enzymes onto nanomaterials is a promising approach for increasing the efficiency of industrial biotransformation processes. Nanomaterials have large surface areas and unique physicochemical characteristics, they increase enzyme stability and catalytic efficiency, and they can be reused multiple times, making them favorable over free enzymes. Various nanomaterials, including carbon-based materials, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles, have been explored for immobilizing enzymes. Immobilized enzymes are more reusable than free enzymes, which are suitable for industrial applications such as in pharmaceuticals, as drug intermediates, and for synthesizing fine chemicals. Using immobilized enzymes multiple times enables numerous catalytic reactions, substantially increasing product yield and minimizing enzyme consumption, thus optimizing process efficiency and cost-effectiveness of manufacturing processes. This review explores recent developments in nanomaterials for immobilizing enzymes and biotransformation.