Celite as a Support for Biocatalysts
Celite is a solid support widely used for the adsorption of biocatalysts. Many examples of improved enzyme performances by means of adsorption onto
From: Methods in Biotechnology, Vol. 15: Enzymes in Nonaqueous Solvents: Methods and Protocols Edited by: E. N. Vulfson, P. J. Halling, and H. L. Holland © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
Celite powder are reported in the literature (5-16). Porous Celite beads and rods are used primarily as supports for the immobilization of whole cells (17-19) and fungi (1,20,21), and, less frequently, of isolated enzymes. For instance, chemically derivatized Celite beads (Celite R-648) have been used for the covalent immobilization of trypsin (22), whereas P-glucosidase and y-amylase have been adsorbed onto Celite R-640 and used in solvent-free environments (23). Celite R-640 has been employed also for the adsorption of penicillin G amidase (2,3) and a-chymotrypsin (24), used in biotransformations in organic solvents. The adsorption of enzymes onto Celite R-640 leads to two major advantages. First, the interfacial area of the catalyst is enlarged and the reaction rate is improved; second, the water activity of biocatalyzed synthesis in organic media is controlled so that the enzyme is provided with the water necessary for preserving its catalytic activity while undesired competing hydrolytic reactions are prevented.
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