CRGO/alginate microbeads: an enzyme immobilization system and its potential application for a continuous enzymatic reaction

Abstract

In this work, novel hybrid microbeads composed of chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) and alginate were fabricated, which could encapsulate enzymes by a simple non-covalent adsorption–entrapment method. Compared with alginate gel beads, the intervention of CRGO in the alginate gel enhanced its mechanical strength, effectively prevented the leakage of enzyme, and greatly enhanced the stability and environmental tolerance. Compared with free enzymes or those on a single carrier, the enzyme encapsulated in these hybrid microbeads can retain its optimum activity within a broad range (temperature 45–60 °C, pH 4–6). Additionally, the microbeads can be easily recycled by simple filtration and filled into a column to achieve a continuous fixed-bed enzyme catalytic reaction.