Enhancement of the activity, stability and reusability of an extracellular protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens 07A via three different strategies of immobilization

Abstract

The bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 07A produces a protease with potential for industrial application. In order to remedy problems associated with the use of free enzymes and allow its reuse, the protease was immobilized on DEAE Sephacel® resin via three different strategies based on ionic interaction and covalent bonding. The matrix-bound enzymes were characterized in relation to their activity (pH, temperature and stability), reuse and storage. Immobilization raised the optimum temperature of activity from 37 °C to 50 °C, whereas the pH of highest activity changed from 7.5 to 7.0 or 8.0, depending on the immobilization strategy. Immobilization proved to be efficient for successive reuses, even leading to an increase in the enzymatic activity along the use. The immobilized enzyme also presented greater stability to high temperatures and storage conditions and has potential as a biocatalyst for industrial applications due to its high efficiency, stability and easy recovery.