Multifunctional solvothermal carbon derived from alginate using ‘water-in-deep eutectic solvents’ for enhancing enzyme activity

Abstract

Herein, the use of a “water-in-deep eutectic solvent (DES)” system has been shown as an alternative platform for the low temperature conversion of alginic acid (AA) to a multifunctional aliginate derived carbon (AAC) material with variable oxygen functionalities. Using the in-built oxygenated functionalities in AAC, cytochrome-c (Cyt-c) was immobilised on the surface of AACs and the peroxidase activity of the enzyme was studied. Remarkably, the enzymatic activity was enhanced up to 5.5-fold compared to the native protein without compromising the structural stability of Cyt-c. Altogether, the present study demonstrates a sustainable process for the preparation of AACs and shows their beneficial effect on the activity and stability of Cyt-c, and thus, their application as a protein-friendly material for biotechnological applications.