Enzyme activity of lysozyme-dextran complex prepared by high pressure treatment

The relative activity of lysozyme by high pressure treatment over the pressure range of 50-300 MPa for 10 min at 0, 35 and 60°C was investigated. The activity gradually decreased by treatment at more than 200 MPa at 60°C, though stable at 0 or 35°C. To obtain a lysozyme with high activity, the lysozyme-dextran complex was prepared from a premixed solution of lysozyme and dextran, which was exposed to high pressure. The lysozyme-dextran complex showing the highest activity was prepared by the high pressure condition of 150 MPa for 60 min at 60°C in the weight ratio of 1:5 (lysozyme:dextran). It was concluded that the enhancement of the lysozyme activity of the lysozyme-dextran complex was due to the combination of lysozyme and dextran that was a hydrophilic polysaccharide.