Enzyme-based bioartificial polymeric materials: the α-amylase-poly(vinyl alcohol) system

• Published in: Polymer international 1997-12, Vol.44 (4), p.510-516
• Main Authors: Cristallini, Caterina, Lazzeri, Luigi, Cascone, Maria Grazia, Polacco, Giovanni, Lupinacci, Domenico, Barbani, Niccoletta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; bioartificial polymeric materials; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Calorimetry; delivery systems; Enzymes; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogels; Immobilization of enzymes and other molecules; Immobilization techniques; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Molecular dynamics; Morphology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; poly(vinyl alcohol); Polymer blends; Polyvinyl alcohols; Properties and characterization; Special properties (catalyst, reagent or carrier); Thawing; Thermodynamic stability; X ray diffraction analysis; α-amylase
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0126(199712)44:4<510::AID-PI884>3.0.CO;2-0

The possibility of realizing bioartificial polymeric materials from blends of the enzyme α‐amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and poly(vinyl alcohol), in the form of film and hydrogel, was investigated. The interactions at molecular level between the enzyme and the synthetic polymer have been studied by calorimetry, X‐ray diffractometry and morphological analysis. A certain degree of interaction through which the α‐amylase molecules influence the crystallinity of the poly(vinyl alcohol) was observed. The thermal stability of the enzyme in the blends was enhanced, while its biological activity did not vary significantly. In addition, hydrogels prepared by a freeze–thawing method can be considered suitable for manufacturing delivery systems capable of releasing enzymes which maintain their full biological activity. ©1997 SCI