Lipase immobilization in a silica gel matrix

Joanna M. JAKUBIAK ? Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, University of Technology and Life Sciences, Bydgoszcz; Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń; Marek J. WÓJCIK – Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Technology and Life Sciences, Bydgoszcz

Please cited as: CHEMIK 2011, 65, 4, 343-346

The immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa in a matrix of silica gel obtained from tetramethoxysilane by means of a sol-gel process was investigated. Gelation was effected at three concentrations of sodium fluoride which was used as the process catalyst. It was found that the gelation process was slower for lower concentrations of the catalyst. It also was demonstrated that the grain size of the biocatalysts had a minor effect on their activity while temperature had a significant effect on their stability during storage.

Keywords: immobilization, silica gel, sol-gel, lipase, TMOS