{"title":"Frontiers in nanoparticles redefining enzyme immobilization: a review addressing challenges, innovations, and unlocking sustainable future potentials","authors":"Heidi M. Abdel-Mageed","doi":"10.1186/s40486-025-00228-2","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nanoparticles (NPs) are redefining enzyme immobilization, offering a paradigm shift in biocatalysis through precision engineering at the nanoscale. With their exceptional surface area, tunable porosity, and customizable functionalities, NPs provide unprecedented control over enzyme stability, activity, and adaptability, bridging the gap between molecular-scale interactions and industrial-scale applications. In the era of intelligent bioprocessing, how can NP-based immobilization strategies be optimized to drive the next frontier of sustainable and high-performance enzyme technologies? A deep understanding of NP structural diversity, interfacial chemistry, and enzyme-matrix interactions is crucial to unlocking their full potential. This review systematically explores emerging NP-based immobilization platforms, including cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), nanoflowers, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), ionic liquids (ILs), and layered double hydroxides (LDHs), each offering tailored advantages for catalytic enhancement and process efficiency. The review outlines current advancements such as 3D printing and wearable biosensors, forecasts the integration of artificial intelligence and smart nano-biocatalysts, and envisions futuristic applications including bio-intelligent nano/micro-robotic systems and space biosensors. Challenges, such as upscaling limitations, nanotoxicity concerns, and environmental risks, are addressed to ensure safe and viable implementation. This review provides a structured roadmap on (I) enzyme immobilization advances using next-generation NPs, (II) challenges in scalability and safety, (III) sustainability benefits of enzyme-based industrial biocatalysis, and (IV) the emergence of intelligence, adaptability, and nanoscale precision immobilization technologies and AI-assisted design and optimization. These visionary approaches mark a paradigm shift toward dynamic, adaptive, and highly specialized, multifunctional nano-enzyme systems.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\n<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":704,"journal":{"name":"Micro and Nano Systems Letters","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://mnsl-journal.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40486-025-00228-2","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Micro and Nano Systems Letters","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40486-025-00228-2","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) are redefining enzyme immobilization, offering a paradigm shift in biocatalysis through precision engineering at the nanoscale. With their exceptional surface area, tunable porosity, and customizable functionalities, NPs provide unprecedented control over enzyme stability, activity, and adaptability, bridging the gap between molecular-scale interactions and industrial-scale applications. In the era of intelligent bioprocessing, how can NP-based immobilization strategies be optimized to drive the next frontier of sustainable and high-performance enzyme technologies? A deep understanding of NP structural diversity, interfacial chemistry, and enzyme-matrix interactions is crucial to unlocking their full potential. This review systematically explores emerging NP-based immobilization platforms, including cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), nanoflowers, nanofibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), ionic liquids (ILs), and layered double hydroxides (LDHs), each offering tailored advantages for catalytic enhancement and process efficiency. The review outlines current advancements such as 3D printing and wearable biosensors, forecasts the integration of artificial intelligence and smart nano-biocatalysts, and envisions futuristic applications including bio-intelligent nano/micro-robotic systems and space biosensors. Challenges, such as upscaling limitations, nanotoxicity concerns, and environmental risks, are addressed to ensure safe and viable implementation. This review provides a structured roadmap on (I) enzyme immobilization advances using next-generation NPs, (II) challenges in scalability and safety, (III) sustainability benefits of enzyme-based industrial biocatalysis, and (IV) the emergence of intelligence, adaptability, and nanoscale precision immobilization technologies and AI-assisted design and optimization. These visionary approaches mark a paradigm shift toward dynamic, adaptive, and highly specialized, multifunctional nano-enzyme systems.