Protease-containing silicates as active antifouling materials.
Biocatalytic silicates, composite materials composed of alpha-chymotrypsin and a silicate prepolymer, were prepared via a two-step polymerization process following solubilization of the enzyme in the polymerization media. This new approach resulted in active and stable composites, and a calculated half-life of over 350 days in aqueous buffer at 30 degrees C. The high stability and activity of this biocatalytic silicate was likely due to the covalent attachment between alpha-chymotrypsin and the silicate matrix. The protease-containing silicate was resistant to fouling by nonselective protein binding, as demonstrated by the dramatically reduced binding of human serum albumin to the silicate material when compared to that of a silicate containing pre-inactivated alpha-chymotrypsin.
Kim
Jungbae
J
Department of Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
Delio
Ray
R
Dordick
Jonathan S
JS
D002384:Catalysis; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000737:chemistry*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*
D017640:Silicates; D002918:Chymotrypsin; C117608:alpha-chymotrypsin