Immobilization of microbial cells by radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming monomers and immobilization ofStreptomyces phaeochromogenes cells by polymerization of various hydrophobic monomers

Abstract

The immobilization ofStreptomyces phaeochromogenes cells was studied by the radiation-induced polymerization of various hydrophobic glass-forming monomers at low temperatures. The glucose isomerase activity of cells immobilized in hydrophobic polymers showed no decrease in activity with repeated use (batch enzyme reaction). Activity increased with increasing monomer concentration in contrast to results with the immobilized enzyme. The hydrophobic polymer composite was microspheric in form. The particle diameter of the composite increased with the increasing monomer concentration.K _m values of the immobilized cells were close to that of intact cells. It was deduced that the cells were trapped on the surface part of the hydrophobic polymer ready to react with the substrate, and not within the matrix where diffusion would play an important role in reaction rates.