Nanoengineered Enzyme Immobilization: Toward Biomedical, Orthopedic, and Biofuel Applications

Abstract

Enzyme immobilization is vital for enhancing catalytic stability, reusability, and efficiency in both industrial bioprocesses and medical therapies. Integrating nanotechnology into immobilization strategies offers unique advantages, including high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and biocompatibility, which collectively improve enzyme performance. This review summarizes recent progress in nanoengineered immobilization using materials such as silica, gold nanoparticles, polymers, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon-based structures, and hydrogels. It highlights their roles in enabling functional enhancements─thermal and pH stability, substrate specificity, and long-term activity─through diverse designs like core–shell structures and mesoporous networks. Biomedical applications span biosensors, diagnostics, and enzyme delivery, with growing interest in orthopedic uses, such as enzyme-functionalized scaffolds for bone regeneration. In parallel, nanomaterial-based systems are advancing biofuel production by improving enzyme efficiency and sustainability. Remaining challenges include cost, scalability, and enzyme leaching. Future work should focus on AI-driven support selection, green material design, and robust nanobiocatalyst systems for next-generation applications.