A new micromethod for mechano-chemical research

A new micromethod to study activity of enzymes in crystalline and amorphous solid samples subjected to tension is described. Both static (up to 200%) and dynamic (with an amplitude up to 50% and frequency of 10 −3 -50 Hz) deformation may be applied to the sample during the activity measurement. Strain-induced changes in activity of thin (3–10 μm) needle-like strips (0.2–0.5 μm long), cut out of the microtome sections of cross-linked crystals of pancreatic carboxypeptidase A is measured in a droplet of substrate solution (with volume of 10 −6 -10 −91) with a pH-microeletrode technique.