Enzyme immobilization on polymeric nanoparticles as a tool to improve biocatalytic performance

The adsorption of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) on different types of polymeric nanoparticles, both synthetic and derived from natural sources, was studied. Comparing to non nanostructured carriers, polymeric nanoparticles were able to induce a stabilization of the adsorbed CRL to different denaturing agents such as temperature, medium pH or organic solvents. Moreover, we evidenced that 200 nm poly-D,L-lactic acid nanoparticles could influence catalytic performance, enhancing dramatically CRL activity in aqueous medium. FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize both free and immobilized CRL, evidencing a reproducible modification in the conformational features of CRL in different media (solid state and aqueous solutions).