Bio-Based Materials versus Synthetic Polymers as a Support in Lipase Immobilization: Impact on Versatile Enzyme Activity

To improve enzyme stability, the immobilization process is often applied. The choice of a support on which the enzymes are adsorbed plays a major role in enhancing biocatalysts’ properties. In this study, bio-based (i.e., chitosan, coffee grounds) and synthetic (i.e., Lewatit VP OC 1600) supports were used in the immobilization of lipases of various microbial origins (yeast (Yarrowia lipolytica) and mold (Aspergillus oryzae)). The results confirmed that the enzyme proteins had been adsorbed on the surface of the selected carriers, but not all of them revealed comparably high catalytic activity. Immobilized CALB (Novozym 435) was used as a commercial reference biocatalyst. The best hydrolytic activity (higher than that of CALB) was observed for Novozym 51032 (lipase solution of A. oryzae) immobilized on Lewatit VP OC 1600. In terms of synthetic activity, there were only slight differences between the applied carriers for A. oryzae lipase, and the highest measures were obtained for coffee grounds. All of the biocatalysts had significantly lower activity in the synthesis reactions than the reference catalyst.