1. Immobilization of Enzymes on Nanoparticles for Catalysis in Non-aqueous Media Alexey Vertegel, Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634
Sulfur Dioxide is a pollutant produced by petroleum combustion. Its emissions cause acid rain which can have harmful effects on the environment. Enzymatic desulfurization of fuels is attractive because of high activity and specificity of enzymes, and possibility to perform the process in mild conditions. However, it requires enzyme reactions in non-aqueous media.
Chloroperoxidase is an enzyme which has been shown to oxidize dibenzothiophenes in aqueous media. Here, we showed that this enzyme is also active in non-aqueous conditions. Furthermore, we found that its immobilization on
~40 nm polystyrene latex nanoparticles results in higher activity in non-aqueous media compared to the free enzyme. Such constructs could therefore become attractive candidates for desulfurization of fossil fuels.
Activity of chloroperoxidase –nanoparticle conjugates (black squares)compared to that of the free enzyme (red circles)