Immobilization of pectinase onto two different supports and their characterization

Pectinase enzyme was immobilized onto alginate and florisil. Maximum activity of free pectinase and immobilized pectinase onto alginate were measured as 69,4 and 20,7 U/mg protein respectively, at predetermined optimum conditions. The KM values for free and immobilized pectinase were determined as 8,04 and 0,36 mg/ml,respectively. Reusability of the immobilized pectinase was investigated in a batch type reactor. After 20 reuses, the residual activity of immobilized pectinase was about % 94 of its initial activity. Thermal stabilities of free and immobilized pectinase determined at different temperatures were compared. The residual activity for immobilized pectinase stored at 5oC and 25oC for five weeks were 57 % and 64 % of its initial activity, respectively. However, the immobilized enzyme protected 75 % and 76 % of its original activity at 5oC and 25oC, respectively for five weeks. In the immobilization onto the florisil support, it was observed that the enzyme was bound to the support however, no activity was observed.