Introduction of an Ambient 3D-Printable Hydrogel Ink to Fabricate an Enzyme-Immobilized Platform with Tunable Geometry for Heterogeneous Biocatalysis

Abstract

An enzyme-immobilized platform for biocatalysis was developed through 3D printing of a hydrogel ink comprising dimethacrylate-functionalized Pluronic F127 (F127-DMA) and sodium alginate (Alg) with laccase that can be done at ambient temperature, followed by UV-induced cross-linking. Laccase is an enzyme that can degrade azo dyes and various toxic organic pollutants. The fiber diameter, pore distance, and surface-to-volume ratio of the laccase-immobilized and 3D-printed hydrogel constructs were varied to determine their effects on the catalytic activity of the immobilized enzyme. Among the three geometrical designs investigated, the 3D-printed hydrogel constructs with flower-like geometry exhibited better catalytic performance than those with cubic and cylindrical geometries. Once tested against Orange II degradation in a flow-based format, they can be reused for up to four cycles. This research demonstrates that the developed hydrogel ink can be used to fabricate other enzyme-based catalytic platforms that can potentially increase their industrial usage in the future.

3D Bioprinting of Microbial-based Living Materials for Advanced Energy and Environmental Applications

“…This study highlights the great potential of merging genetical engineering and 3D bioprinting in producing advanced biomaterials, showing their promise as an environmentally friendly, efficient, and self-renewing system for environmental remediation. Laccases are multicopper oxidases widely found in organisms like fungi, plants, and insects, known for their ability to decompose azo dyes and various toxic organic pollutants . Datta et al used a combination of synthetic biology and 3D bioprinting to develop a stimuli-responsive living material based on genetically engineered cyanobacteria (Figure C) .…”

Enzyme Bioink for the 3D Printing of Biocatalytic Materials

“…[40][41][42] Only a few examples describe the physical entrapment of enzymes within 3D-printed hydrogels. [43][44][45][46][47] This includes the encapsulation of glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase within photocurable polyethylene glycol hydrogels as chemiluminescent biosensors of glucose, 23 and the entrapment of alkaline phosphatase and thrombin within a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) bioink for improved tissue formation. 48 Similarly, BSA was immobilized in a stereolithography approach where its methacrylated form was crosslinked with PEGDA.…”