[A new method of immobilizing proteolytic enzymes in polymeric hydrogels]

A novel one-step method for enzyme immobilization in composite gels based on the thermally reversible polymer poly (N-vinyl-caprolactam) was developed. Conditions for entrapment of trypsin and carboxypeptidase B in the gels were optimized. After immobilization, 80 and 90% of the original carboxypeptidase B and trypsin activities, respectively, were found to retain. Both immobilizes enzymes were active in a wider pH and temperature range. The granules with entrapped enzymes were successfully applied to obtain human insulin from recombinant proinsulin.