Advances in immobilization of phytases and their application

[Display omitted] •Phytase or phytase-producing cells can be immobilized on different natural and synthetic supports.•Success of the immobilization depends on support features and phytase properties.•The phytase source and its classification group can influence the immobilization process.•Nano-supports help to enhance the phytase stability and activity providing its reuse.•Different encapsulation types protect the phytase in pelleting. The review describes the advances in the phytase immobilization for the past decade and their biotechnological applications. Different approaches for phytase immobilization are described including the process using organic and inorganic matrices and microbial cells, as well as nanostructures of various nature. Moreover, the immobilization of phytase-producing microbial cells and the use of cross-linked phytase aggregates have been under consideration. A detailed classification of various carriers for immobilization of phytases and the possibility of their applications are presented. A particular attention is drawn to a breakthrough approach of biotechnological significance to the design of microencapsulation of bacterial phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus in the recombinant extremophile of Yarrowia lipolytica.