The investigation of catalytic properties of immobilized enzymes and cells is a time-consuming and not always simple procedure. Flow microcalorimetry has proven to be a very practical and versatile technique for direct monitoring of the course of enzyme reactions. The principle advantage is that the enzyme reaction and the monitoring of it can be integrated in one step. This contribution describes how kinetic constants or catalytic characteristics of enzymes and even cells can be directly measured with the use of enzyme thermistors without the requirement of any independent analytical method. The technique is very suitable for monitoring and optimising industrial use of immobilized biocatalysts, such as comparing different preparations of enzymes and immobilization procedures, for studying inhibitors, reaction media, including organic solvents, and for investigating stability and screening for new reactions of biocatalysts.

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[2] K. Ramanathan, M. Rank, J. Svitel, A. Dzgoev and B. Danielsson, TIBTECH 17 (1999) 499-505.