Enzyme flow microcalorimetry—a useful tool for screening of immobilized penicillin G acylase

Screening of a representative series of immobilized penicillin G acylase biocatalysts (enzyme, cells) using enzyme Now microcalorimetry is described. Immobilized penicillin G acylase biocatalysts were either prepared in the labor- atory by various techniques or obtained from four commercial manufacturers. An industrial strain of Escherichia coli was entrapped in (poly)acrylamide gel or hardened calcium pectate gel. Semi-puri-ed enzyme was immobilized in various waysEeither by covalent binding to oxirane-acrylic beads or chlorotriazine bead cellulose or by entrapment in (poly)acrylamide gel. The validity of the enzyme Now microcalorimetry results was corroborated by a pH-stat method, showing enzyme Now microcalorimetry to be a suitable method for rapid screening of immobilized biocatalysts regardless of the immobilization technique, carrier type or the biocatalyst source. 1998 Society of Chemical Industry ( J. Chem. T echnol. Biotechnol. 73 ,3 1 E36 (1998)