title: Tyrosinase immobilized on a hydrophobic membrane.
abstract: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane surfaces were ad hoc functionalized chemically to make them suitable for enzymatic immobilization. The process was performed by grafting the membrane surface with 1,4-diaminobutane and subsequently by activating it with glutarhaldehyde. The chemico-physical properties of the original PVDF membrane and of the modified membranes were studied by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and static contact angle measurements. The activated membranes were used as a support for covalent immobilization of tyrosinase. The activity of free and immobilized enzyme was studied and compared. The experimental data showing the specific activity of the immobilized enzyme are similar to the value obtained with the free one. This means that the immobilization procedure did not alter the catalytic properties of the tyrosinase. In addition, the surface modification of the PVDF made it a promising material to use in enzyme or biomolecule immobilization processes.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council Institute for Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR) c/o The University of Calabria, Cubo 17C, Via Pietro BUCCI, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Algieri
authors.affiliation: National Research Council Institute for Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR) c/o The University of Calabria, Cubo 17C, Via Pietro BUCCI, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.affiliation: National Research Council Institute for Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR) c/o The University of Calabria, Cubo 17C, Via Pietro BUCCI, 87036 Rende CS, Italy.
authors.forename: Lidietta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giorno
mesh_terms: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000737:chemistry*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
chemical_list: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D011145:Polyvinyls; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
keywords: chemical modification; enzyme; immobilization; membrane; polyvinylidene fluoride