Immobilization of alpha chymotrypsin and papain on plasma functionalized polymer surfaces

The attachment of the enzyme to solid surfaces such as polymers is termed as enzyme immobilization. Enzyme immobilization is performed in order to use and reuse the superior catalytic activity exhibited by the enzyme. Inert synthetic polymers serve as an ideal support for immobilizing enzyme. Due to the existence of highly energetic species in the plasma, the activation of even the most inert polymer such as polyethylene and Teflon becomes possible, and consequently the attachment of enzymes can be accomplished. However, immobilization often causes inactivation of the enzyme due to multipoint binding to the support and to the conformational changes, as a consequence. Spacer molecular chains are used to offset this problem. Spacers are molecular chains, which are intercalated between the polymeric support and the biomolecules.; In this study, the immobilization of α-chymotrypsin and papain on polyethylene film surfaces is done and the activity of the immobilized enzyme with and without spacers is evaluated.