Immobilization of Enzymes, Carrier Matrices, Polymers, Adsorption, Membrane Confinement, Inertness, Physical Strength, Stability

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	Immobilization of Enzymes - Enzyme immobilization may be defined as confining the enzyme molecules to a distinct phase from the one in which the substrates and the products are present. The materials used for immobilization of enzymes, called carrier matrices, are usually inert polymers or inorganic materials. The ideal carrier matrix has the following properties: (i) low cost, (ii) inertness, (iii) physical strength ,(iv) stability,
(v) regenerability after the useful lifetime of the immobilized enzyme, (vi) enhancement of enzyme specificity, (vii) reduction in product inhibition, (viii) a shift in the pH optimum for enzyme action to the desired value for the process, and (ix) reduction in microbial contamination and nonspecific adsorption. The various methods used for immobilization of enzymes may be grouped into the following four types:
(i) adsorption, (ii) covalent bonding, (iii) entrapment, and (iv) membrane confinement.