Enzyme Immobilization Techniques

The process of attaching enzymes to a solid support or matrix to improve their stability and reusability.

A material that holds the enzyme in a fixed position during the immobilization process.

Attaching enzymes to a support surface through weak bonds like ionic interactions, hydrogen bonds, or van der Waals forces.

Attaching enzymes to a support using strong covalent chemical bonds.

Methods for attaching enzymes to a support, including physical adsorption, and chemical bonds (affinity, covalent).

The material used to immobilize enzymes, divided into natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and inorganic materials.

Enzymes are enclosed within a porous material, creating a controlled environment

Immobilizing lipase enzymes is important for cleaning in detergents as it allows multiple usage of the enzyme

Strong linkage of the enzyme, preventing leakage or desorption, easy method, and a wide variety of supports available.

Chemical modification can alter enzyme conformation and activity, inactivate the active site, and may require specific conditions to overcome these issues.

Fast and cost-effective method, requires mild conditions, and minimizes enzyme conformation changes.

Potential for enzyme leakage, diffusion limitations, and susceptibility to microbial contamination.

Covalent bonding between enzyme molecules using polyfunctional reagents, directly linking them without a support.

Polyfunctional reagents can denature the enzyme, making it ineffective.

Benefits of enzyme immobilization include reusability, continuous use, reduced labor, improved stability, and process control.

Challenges of enzyme immobilization include potential loss of catalytic activity, enzyme instability, and higher initial cost.

Applications of immobilized enzymes in medicine include therapeutic treatment, disease diagnosis, and drug delivery.

Immobilized enzymes play a role in the industrial production of various products, such as antibiotics, beverages, and amino acids.

Immobilized enzymes are used in food production for processes like making jams, jellies, and syrups.

Immobilized enzymes are used in wastewater treatment to break down pollutants and clean up sewage & industrial effluents.

Immobilized enzymes are used in textile processing for tasks like scouring, bio-polishing, and desizing of fabrics.

Any substance used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests like insects, weeds, or pathogens.

Pesticides derived from natural sources like bacteria, fungi, or plants.

Pesticides created by chemical synthesis in a laboratory.

Pesticides containing a ring-shaped structure with halogen atoms attached (like chlorine), often very persistent in the environment.

The breakdown of pesticides into less harmful products over time, often through microbial activity.

The breakdown of pesticides in an environment without oxygen, often by specialized bacteria.

The breakdown of pesticides in an environment with oxygen, involving microbial and chemical processes.

The extent of chlorination in a pesticide affects its degradation rate, with highly chlorinated compounds being more resistant to breakdown.

Any substance or mixture intended to prevent, destroy, or control pests like insects, weeds, and disease vectors. It includes substances used for protecting agricultural commodities, wood, and animal feed.

There are several insecticide families, including organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. These groups differ in their chemical structure and mode of action.

A group of insecticides that disrupt the nerve function by interfering with sodium/potassium balance. They are persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate. Examples include DDT.

Both organophosphates and carbamates are highly toxic to vertebrates. They act by inhibiting an important enzyme in the nervous system, acetylcholine esterase.

Herbicide families include phenoxy and benzoic acid herbicides (2,4-D), triazines (atrazine), ureas (diuron), and Chloroacetanilides (alachlor). Each family has specific target weeds.

Phenoxy compounds like 2,4-D selectively kill broadleaved weeds while sparing grasses. They disrupt the plant's growth hormones.

Pesticides are used to control pests that can spread diseases, damage crops, and disrupt ecosystems. They play a crucial role in public health and food security.

Pesticides can have negative impacts on human and animal health, ecosystems, and the environment. They can be toxic, persist, bioaccumulate, and harm beneficial organisms.

Herbicides are chemicals used to kill unwanted plants, such as weeds, trees, and brush. They can also be used to control algae in water bodies.

Pesticides are substances used to control pests like insects, weeds, and pathogens. They can help prevent diseases in humans and protect crops.

There are several types of pesticides, including herbicides for weeds, insecticides for insects, fungicides for fungi, and bactericides for bacteria.

Organophosphates are a group of insecticides that have a broad application. They can be used to kill insects and are highly effective.

Using pesticides carries risks, as some can be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. Proper use and regulation are essential to mitigate these risks.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an organization that regulates pesticide use in the United States.

Many herbicides function similarly to plant growth hormones, disrupting normal cell division and nutrient transport, leading to plant death.

Some pesticides, like DDT and organophosphates, have saved lives by controlling diseases like malaria. However, they can also cause adverse health effects, including nervous system problems, tremors, and even death.