What is an Immobilized Enzyme?
Well, let’s review what an enzyme is first. Enzymes are protein molecules which serve to accelerate the chemical reactions of living cells (often by several orders of magnitude). Without enzymes, most biochemical reactions would be too slow to even carry out life processes. Enzymes display great specificity and are not permanently modified by their participation in reactions. Since they are not changed during the reactions, it is cost-effective to use them more than once. However, if the enzymes are in solution with the reactants and/or products it is difficult to separate them. Therefore, if they can be attached to the reactor in some way, they can be used again after the products have been removed. The term “immobilized” means unable to move or stationary. And that is exactly what an immobilized enzyme is: an enzyme that is physically attached to a solid support over which a substrate is passed and converted to product. Right about now you’re probably asking yourself, “So, who cares?
