Langmuir–Blodgett based lipase nanofilms of unique structure–function relationship

Proteins represent versatile building blocks for realization of nanostructured materials of unique structure–function relationship to be applied in nanobiotechnology. Following a recent work [Bruzzese, D., Pastorino, L., Pechkova, E., Sivozhelezov, Nicolini, C., Increase of catalytic activity of lipase towards olive oil by Langmuir-Film Immobilization of Lipase, Enzyme and Microbial Technology, submitted for publication.], the Langmuir–Blodgett technique was utilized to develop nanostructured crystal materials based on enzymes interfacially activated with olive oil as substrate. Particularly, thin films of lipase from both Mucor miehei and Candida rugosa were fabricated and characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy and biochemical assays. As the first step the M. miehei protein films were studied at the air–water interface and then transferred onto a solid support for further characterization of the enzymatic activity also versus surface pressure, proving that Langmuir–Blodgett film provides a better catalytic effect in lipase than a mere oil–water boundary. Moreover, improvement of lipase catalytic performance was achieved for the M. miehei versus the C. rugosa, despite its almost random distribution of hydrophobic patches and the low purity of its preparation.