[Urease immobilization on macroporous silicas]

Urease was immobilized on macroporous silicas using gamma-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde. The amount of protein on the surface, the structure of pores of the support and the purity of the initial enzyme were varied, the enzymic activity of the immobilized preparations being controlled. After the immobilization of sufficiently large quantities of the enzyme (about 3 mg protein per m2 support) about 35% of the specific activity was retained. The maximum activity per unit weight of the support was observed for silicagels and silochromes with the mean diameter of pores 70-90 nm and the specific surface area about 70 m2/g. The use of purified urease produced highly active preparations of the immobilized enzyme (17,000 U per g dry support). Freeze-drying of the immobilized enzyme in the presence of sorbitol yielded dry preparations retaining their activity.