Process Biotechnology

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol. 6 No. 2, Issue of August 15, 2003
© 2003 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile Received December 4, 2002 / Accepted April 24, 2003
TECHNICAL NOTE

Immobilized lysozyme protein on fibrous medium: Preliminary results for microfiltration applications

Odilio B. G. Assis*
Embrapa Agricultural Instrumentation Center
Caixa Postal 741, 13560-970
São Carlos, SP., Brazil
Tel: 55 16 2742477
Fax: 55 16 2725958
E-mail: odilio@cnpdia.embrapa.br
 

Luis C. Claro
PPG Interunidades - Universidade de São Paulo USP
Caixa Postal 369, 13560-970
São Carlos, SP., Brazil
Tel: 55 16 2742477
Fax: 55 16 2725958
E-mail: lclaro@cnpdia.embrapa.br

* Corresponding author

Financial support: Embrapa, FAPESP and CNPq.

Keywords: enzyme immobilization, packed bed column, surface analysis.

Abstract
Full Text


The protein lysozyme was deposited onto a permeable support comprising chemically functionalized glass fiber. The main objective of this study was to set a stable organic net with no effect on the medium bed permeability and a preliminary test the activity of this enzyme under immobilized conditions. The film formation is followed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) surface imaging. The effect on the bacteria Escherichia coli was tested using a simple microfiltration column. The filtration results pointed around 75% removal of bacteria in the effluent when compared to the influent concentration. The removal mechanism is assumed as being essentially due biointeraction. The surface polarity characteristics of the formed film were also considered as playing an important role, suggesting an electrostatic interaction mechanism in the microorganism removal.


 
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