Surfactant-Free β-Galactosidase Micromotors for “On-The-Move” Lactose Hydrolysis

5 years ago

Surfactant-Free β-Galactosidase Micromotors for “On-The-Move” Lactose Hydrolysis

Beatriz Jurado-Sánchez, Alberto Escarpa, Roberto Maria-Hormigos

Surfactant-free β-galactosidase micromotors are explored here as moving biocatalyst for highly efficient lactose hydrolysis from raw milk. The coupling of the hydrolytic properties of such enzyme with the efficient movement of carbon nanotube tubular micromotors results in nearly 100% lactose hydrolysis and two fold removal efficiency as compared with static conditions and with free enzyme. The incorporation of an inner Ni layer allows its reusability to operate in batch mode. The rough micromotor surface area allows the immobilization of a high loading of β-galactosidase and results in an increase in the enzyme affinity toward lactose. The new micromotor concept opens new avenues for the use of micromotors as moving immobilized biocatalyst to improve the technological process not only in food industry but also in other fields. β-galactosidase functionalized micromotors are used as moving microcatalysts for highly efficient lactose hydrolysis. Dynamic micromotor movement results in quantitative lactose removal in 25 min. The incorporation of an inner Ni layer allows for its reusability to operate in batch mode. The concept opens new avenues for the use of micromotors to improve the biotechnological process in the alimentary industry.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201704256