Preparation and Properties of Paper Sheets Incorporating Immobilised Enzymes

Abstract

Paper sheets incorporating immobilised enzymes were prepared from modified commercial mixed softwood refiner mechanical pulp (RMP) and kraft pulp. The RMP was converted to its carboxymethyl derivative (CM-RMP, DS = 1.59), which after extraction with water gave a residue (RMP-I, 70% yield from CM-RMP). Several enzymes (invertase, pectinase, trypsin and ficin) were chemically bonded to the RMP-I with the aid of a carbodiimide reagent or Woodward Reagent K. The RMP-I immobilised enzyme samples were blended with bleached kraft softwood pulp or bleached Eucalyptus kraft pulp to a content of 2.5-20%, from which handsheets of immobilised enzyme papers were prepared. The paper sheets were shown to have satisfactory enzyme activities, mechanical properties and brightnesses.

Ficin: A protease extract with relevance in biotechnology and biocatalysis

“…Later on, bromelain, ficin, papain, pepsin and trypsin were immobilized on two different cellulose supports: cyanogen bromide or glutaraldehyde [58].Cyanogen bromide-cellulose gave better results than glutaraldehyde-cellulose, giving higher activities and stabilities. In another research, ficin was covalently immobilized on paper sheets bearing carboxymethyl groups via the carbodiimide route or Woodward Reagent K [59]. The paper sheets bearing immobilized enzymes exhibited acceptable enzyme activities together to suitable mechanical and brightness features.…”