Thermo-responsive super porous p(NIPAM) cryogels affords enhanced thermal stability and activity for ɑ-Glucosidase enzyme by entrapping in situ

The concept of using a thermo-responsive p(NIPAM) polymer matrix for enzyme immobilization with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) value is rationalized by availability of the compartmental milieu to enzymes to operate within super porous 3-D matrix with special environmental conditions. Therefore, the enzyme immobilization within a support material will be carried out under the storage conditions of enzymes, generally ~-20 oC to afford unnecessarily loss of enzyme functionality in comparison to the other enzyme entrapment methods. Thus, here ɑ-Glucosidase as a model enzyme was entrapped within thermo-responsive super porous p(NIPAM) cryogels (ɑ-Glu@p(NIPAM) during the synthesis that uses cryogenic condition, ~-20 oC. The LSCT value for the prepared p(NIPAM) based cryogels were determined as 34.6±1.2 oC. The immobilization yield, immobilization efficiency, and activity recovery% values were calculated as 89.4±3.1, 66.2±3.3, and 74.0±3.3%, respectively at pH 6.8 and 37 oC for ɑ-Glu@p(NIPAM) cryogel system. Interestingly, the optimum working conditions were achieved as 25 oC and pH 6.8 with higher activity, 98.4±0.2% for the prepared ɑ-Glu@p(NIPAM) cryogel system. The operational and storage stability studies revealed that the prepared ɑ-Glu@p(NIPAM) cryogel system possessed much better operational and storage stability than free ɑ-Glu enzyme e.g., more than 50% activity after 10th usage and 10-day room temperature storage time. Moreover, the kinetic parameters such as Km and Vmax of free-Glu enzyme and ɑ-Glu@p(NIPAM) cryogel system were calculated by non-linear Michaelis-Menten equation.