Some analytical applications of immobilised enzymes

The purpose of this study was to investigate some of the potential uses of immobilised water insoluble enzymes in analytical chemistry. The literature has been reviewed on the immobilisation of enzymes with special regard to supports, stability of bound enzymes, and use of such preparations in analytical chemistry. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase was attached to various commercially available supports. However, because of the very small particle size of these preparations, they were found to be unsuitable for use in rapid automated analysis based on the continuous flow principle. Peroxidase was bound to the surface of polyaminostyrene beads of such a size as to allow a rapid flow-rate through a tube containing them. The properties of the peroxidase beads were studied, using a continuous flow system, and the optimum conditions of pH, temperature and flow-rate established for the analysis of hydrogen peroxide. [Continues.]