Design of a heterogeneous enzymatic catalyst on chitosan: investigation of the role of conjugation chemistry in the catalytic activity of a laccase from trametes versicolor
BACKGROUND: Three protocols are presented in order to immobilise a laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) from Trametes versicolor on chitosan. In particular, chitosan is functionalized with glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin to explore to what extent the conjugation of the enzyme is affected by a carbonyl- or epoxy-modified surface, respectively. In addition, an oxidation procedure is tested to modify, for the first time, the carbohydrate moiety of the enzyme and exploit it for linking with the amine group of chitosan.