Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as Emerging Carrier for biological applications

Abstract

This work aims to bridge nanotechnology and biotechnology via comparative study of the influence of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs) on some enzymes activity and structure by either covalent binding or adsorption techniques such as L-asparaginase (produced by Aspergillus versicolor, L-ASNase). The prepared materials were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM) and particle size distribution analysis using DLS technique. Besides, in vitro cytotoxicity of the prepared materials using SRB assay was carried out. The highest immobilization yield (%) of L-ASNase was about 54 % and the immobilized MWCNTs had particle size around 51- 79 nm relative to the un-immobilized one (180 nm). Using of fMWCNTs for enzyme immobilization could be protecting the effect of elevating temperature at different period of time. Also, the storage time played a significant role in activation of the immobilized enzyme by releasing the embedded enzyme from fMWCNTs.