Enzyme Co-Immobilization on Precipitated Silica for Sustainable Lactobionic Acid Production

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Enzyme Engineering
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Lactobionic acid (LBA) is increasingly vital across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
• Enzymatic biosynthesis using redox mediators offers a biological route for LBA production.
• Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) and laccase (LAC) are key enzymes in this process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer an effective immobilized enzymatic system for LBA production.
• To enhance enzyme stability and LBA synthesis efficiency.
• To explore cost-effective immobilization strategies for industrial application.

Main Methods:

• Co-immobilization of Phanerodontia chrysosporium CDH (PchCDH) and Cerrena unicolor LAC (CuLAC) onto silica (Sipernat 22).
• Silica carrier activation using APTES and PEI.
• Enzymatic synthesis of LBA from lactose using the immobilized enzymes and ABTS mediator.

Main Results:

• Immobilization enhanced enzyme stability and LBA synthesis efficiency.
• Co-immobilization on Sipernat 22 silica yielded the most effective system.
• Achieved 90% conversion of lactose to LBA over ten synthesis cycles.
• Demonstrated cost-effectiveness using inexpensive Sipernat 22 silica.

Conclusions:

• Co-immobilized PchCDH and CuLAC on activated silica provide a highly efficient and stable system for LBA production.
• This method offers a cost-effective and scalable approach for industrial LBA biosynthesis.
• The study highlights the potential of immobilized enzymes in sustainable chemical production.