Microreactors, which are by definition reactors with at least one dimension below 1 mm,
are gaining more attention from industry and are more important in the field of
biocatalysis. Their favorable characteristic, such as high surface-to-volume ration, easy
process control, low reagent consumption, enable microreactors to perform highly
efficient biocatalytic processes. For additional increase of surface-to-volume ratio
nanomaterials, such as nanosprings and nanofibers, are becoming increasingly important.
Such nanostructures are an efficient carrier for tagged enzyme immobilization. In this
work a microreactor with immobilized enzymes for a desired biotransformation was
developed. Characterization of nanosprings was performed. Nanosprings with different
density were tested and it was concluded that nanosprings with higher density are more
hydrophobic at the start. An analysis with scanning electron microscope (SEM) was
performed as well. Study showed that the surface of nanosprings was melted and
concentrated. It is presumed this is the consequence of the exposure to higher
temperatures in the preparation of nanosprings. ω-transaminase with Zbasic2 (N-SBMATA-wt) tag was immobilized on silicon nanosprings via ionic interaction between
Zbasic2 tag and surface. Immobilization yield was below expectation, which could be
caused by melted nanosprings and consequently their unsuitable hydrophilic
characteristic. Carboxyl esterase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AF-Est2) with
polyhistidine tag was immobilized on nanofiber with functionalized Cu2+ via ionic
interactions. Immobilization yield in this experiment even reached 100%. Regeneration
of nanofibers was performed with attachment of Cu2+ particles on nanofibers and it was
successful, because further immobilizations yields were high.
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