Green nanostructured supports for lipase immobilization: Advances in stability enhancement and applications in antioxidant ester synthesis

Abstract

Green nanostructured materials have emerged as promising platforms for enzyme immobilization due to their tunable surface properties, high specific surface area, and environmentally benign synthesis routes. In this context, lipase immobilization has become an effective strategy for improving enzyme stability, reusability, and catalytic efficiency in industrial biocatalysis. This review provides a critical overview of recent advances in the use of green nanoparticle-based supports for lipase immobilization, with particular emphasis on the structure–function relationships governing catalytic performance, conformational stabilization, interfacial activation, and mass transfer behavior. Different classes of green nanomaterials, including magnetic nanoparticles, mesoporous silica, carbon-based nanomaterials, and biopolymer-derived supports, are comparatively analyzed according to their immobilization mechanisms, operational stability, and catalytic efficiency. Special attention will be given to their application in the synthesis of antioxidant esters and other high-value bioactive compounds are critically discussed, highlighting both catalytic advantages and current limitations. Furthermore, key challenges associated with scalability, enzyme–support interactions, diffusional limitations, and process sustainability are addressed, together with emerging perspectives for the rational design of next-generation green nanobiocatalytic systems.