IONIC INTERACTION IN HYDROPHOBIC LYSOZYME ADSORPTION IN SILICA: AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION

Enzymes are very promising catalysts for application in bioprocesses due to a broad specificity coupled to high enantio or regioselectivity. However, they usually need to be purified and immobilized for industrial applications. Hydrophobic adsorption has been widely used to associate enzymes and solid matrices, among which silica has been highlighted as an important adsorbent. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the enzyme-solid interaction during the adsorption process of hydrophobic enzymes in silica carries. The main goal was to investigate the existence of ionic interactions besides the hydrophobic interaction, in order to contribute to the efficiency of immobilization and purification processes. Results obtained showed that there is a possibly significant influence of ionic forces during the enzyme adsorption in activated silica, even with highly hydrophobic surface groups (octyl). The explanation may suggest the influence of residual silanol groups in the process.