Improved stability of urease upon coupling to alkylamine and arylamine glass and its analytical use

Long-Term Robustness and Failure Mechanisms of Electrochemical Stripping for Wastewater Ammonia Recovery

Nitrogen in wastewater has negative environmental, human health, and economic impacts but can be recovered to reduce the costs and environmental impacts of wastewater treatment and chemical production. To recover ammonia/ammonium (total ammonia nitrogen, TAN) from urine, we operated electrochemical stripping (ECS) for over a month, achieving 83.4 ± 1.5% TAN removal and 73.0 ± 2.9% TAN recovery. With two reactors, we recovered sixteen 500-mL batches (8 L total) of ammonium sulfate (20.9 g/L TAN) approaching commercial fertilizer concentrations (28.4 g/L TAN) and often having >95% purity. While evaluating the operation and maintenance needs, we identified pH, full-cell voltage, product volume, and water flux into the product as informative process monitoring parameters that can be inexpensively and rapidly measured. Characterization of fouled cation exchange and omniphobic membranes informs cleaning and reactor modifications to reduce fouling with organics and calcium/magnesium salts. To evaluate the impact of urine collection and storage on ECS, we conducted experiments with urine at different levels of dilution with flush water, extents of divalent cation precipitation, and degrees of hydrolysis. ECS effectively treated urine under all conditions, but minimizing flush water and ensuring storage until complete hydrolysis would enable energy-efficient TAN recovery. Our experimental results and cost analysis motivate a multifaceted approach to improving ECS's technical and economic viability by extending component lifetimes, decreasing component costs, and reducing energy consumption through material, reactor, and process engineering. In summary, we demonstrated urine treatment as a foothold for electrochemical nutrient recovery from wastewater while supporting the applicability of ECS to seven other wastewaters with widely varying characteristics. Our findings will facilitate the scale-up and deployment of electrochemical nutrient recovery technologies, enabling a circular nitrogen economy that fosters sanitation provision, efficient chemical production, and water resource protection.

Highly sensitive, scalable, and rapid SARS-CoV-2 biosensor based on In2O3 nanoribbon transistors and phosphatase

Developing convenient and accurate SARS-CoV-2 antigen test and serology test is crucial in curbing the global COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we report an improved indium oxide (In₂O₃) nanoribbon field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor platform detecting both SARS-CoV-2 antigen and antibody. Our FET biosensors, which were fabricated using a scalable and cost-efficient lithography-free process utilizing shadow masks, consist of an In₂O₃ channel and a newly developed stable enzyme reporter. During the biosensing process, the phosphatase enzymatic reaction generated pH change of the solution, which was then detected and converted to electrical signal by our In₂O₃ FETs. The biosensors applied phosphatase as enzyme reporter, which has a much better stability than the widely used urease in FET based biosensors. As proof-of-principle studies, we demonstrate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in both phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) buffer and universal transport medium (UTM) (limit of detection [LoD]: 100 fg/mL). Following the SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests, we developed and characterized additional sensors aimed at SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, which is important to trace past infection and vaccination. Our spike protein IgG antibody tests exhibit excellent detection limits in both PBS and human whole blood ((LoD): 1 pg/mL). Our biosensors display similar detection performance in different mediums, demonstrating that our biosensor approach is not limited by Debye screening from salts and can selectively detect biomarkers in physiological fluids. The newly selected enzyme for our platform performs much better performance and longer shelf life which will lead our biosensor platform to be capable for real clinical diagnosis usage.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplementary material (materials and methods for device fabrication, functionalization of In₂O₃ devices, photographs of the liquid gate measurement setup, mobilities of the nine devices labeled in Fig. 1(b), family curves of I _DS-V _DS with the liquid gate setup and current change after bubbling the substrate solution (current vs. time curve for S1 antigen detection)) is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-022-4190-0.

Enzyme Immobilization over Polystyrene Surface Using Cysteine Functionalized Copper Nanoparticle as a Linker Molecule

The work focus on the development of a simple and efficient method of enzyme immobilization over a polystyrene surface using cysteine functionalized copper nanoparticle as linker molecule. The polystyrene surface is activated by generating -NO₂ groups by the process of nitration reaction. The nitrated polystyrene plate then is silanized with (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTS) followed with the coupling of cysteine-capped copper nanoparticles on the silanized surface through thiol moiety. A nanoparticle layer is thus created over the polystyrene surface which is efficiently used for covalent immobilization of urease via an amino group of cysteine through glutaraldehyde treatment. The technique resulted in an enhancement in the enzymatic activity by 72.37% over the soluble counterpart. The immobilized enzyme also exhibited appreciable reusability of about 10 times with activity retention of 82% of its initial activity. Immobilization also offered an increased thermal and pH stability to the immobilized enzyme over the soluble enzyme.

Application of Invertase Immobilized on Chitosan Using Glutaraldehyde or Tris(Hydroxymethyl)Phosphine as Cross-Linking Agent to Produce Bioethanol

Invertase was immobilized on chitosan using glutaraldehyde or tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine as cross-linker. The optimum pH for free and immobilized enzyme was found to be 4.5 and 5.5, respectively. The optimum hydrolysis temperature was 55 °C for both the free and immobilized forms. Km and Vmax values for free invertase, and invertase immobilized on glutaraldehyde- and THP-activated chitosan were 15, 19, and 20 mM, respectively, and 238, 204, and 212 mM min^-1, respectively. The THP-immobilized enzyme had the highest pH and thermal stability, higher reusability with 70% retention in activity after 9 batches of reuse and higher storage stability with 90% retention in activity after 12 weeks at 4 °C, pH 4.5. Fermentation of cane molasses by yeast to form ethanol in the presence of free invertase at 30°C, pH 5.0 led to an increase in ethanol production by 3% and the production increased by 10.7% when immobilized invertase was used as catalyst. Graphical Abstract.

Enzymatically active biomimetic micropropellers for the penetration of mucin gels

In the body, mucus provides an important defense mechanism by limiting the penetration of pathogens. It is therefore also a major obstacle for the efficient delivery of particle-based drug carriers. The acidic stomach lining in particular is difficult to overcome because mucin glycoproteins form viscoelastic gels under acidic conditions. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori has developed a strategy to overcome the mucus barrier by producing the enzyme urease, which locally raises the pH and consequently liquefies the mucus. This allows the bacteria to swim through mucus and to reach the epithelial surface. We present an artificial system of reactive magnetic micropropellers that mimic this strategy to move through gastric mucin gels by making use of surface-immobilized urease. The results demonstrate the validity of this biomimetic approach to penetrate biological gels, and show that externally propelled microstructures can actively and reversibly manipulate the physical state of their surroundings, suggesting that such particles could potentially penetrate native mucus.

Urease immobilized polymer hydrogel: Long-term stability and enhancement of enzymatic activity

A method has been developed in which an enzyme namely urease was immobilized inside hydrogel matrix to study the stability and enzymatic activity in room temperature (∼27-30°C). This urease coupled hydrogel (UCG) was obtained by amine-acid coupling reaction and this procedure is such that it ensured the wider opening of mobile flap of enzyme active site. A systematic comparison of urea-urease assay and the detailed kinetic data clearly revealed that the urease shows activity for more than a month when stored at ∼27-30°C in case of UCG whereas it becomes inactive in case of free urease (enzyme in buffer solution). The aqueous microenvironment inside the hydrogel, unusual morphological features and thermal behaviour were believed to be the reasons for unexpected behaviour. UCG displayed enzyme activity at basic pH and up to 60°C. UCG showed significant enhancement in activity against thermal degradation compared to free urease. In summary, this method is a suitable process to stabilize the biomacromolecules in standard room temperature for many practical uses.

Long-Term Stability of a Cellulose-Based Glucose Oxidase Membrane

A cellulose-based glucose oxidase membrane was prepared on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The current response of the electrode to glucose was measured by applying a potential of 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl on the base GC and was proportional to the concentration of glucose up to 1 mM. The long-term stability of the electrode was examined by measuring the daily glucose response. Over four months, the response magnitude was maintained and then gradually decreased. After 11 months, though the response magnitude decreased to 50% of the initial value, the linear response range did not change. Therefore, the electrode could be used as a glucose biosensor even after 11 months of use. The entrapment of the enzyme in the cellulose matrix promoted the stability of the enzyme, as revealed by data on the enzyme activity after the enzyme electrode was immersed in urea. Therefore, the cellulose matrix may be used to improve the performance of biosensors, bioreactors and bio-fuel cells.

Fabrication, characterization and application of pectin degrading Fe3O4-SiO2 nanobiocatalyst

The covalent binding of pectinase onto amino functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CSMNPs) through glutaraldehyde activation was investigated for nanobiocatalyst fabrication. The average particle size and morphology of the nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The statistical analysis for TEM image suggests that the coating and binding process did not cause any significant change in size of MNPs. The morphological and phase change of the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) after various coatings and immobilization were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The various surface modifications and pectinase binding onto nanoparticles were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The maximum activity of immobilized pectinase was obtained at its weight ratio of 19.0×10(-3) mg bound pectinase/mg CSMNPs. The pH, temperature, reusability, storage ability and kinetic studies were established to monitor their improved stability and activity of the fabricated nanobiocatalyst. Furthermore, the application was extended in the clarification of Malus domestica juice.

Optimisation of immobilisation conditions for chick pea β-galactosidase (CpGAL) to alkylamine glass using response surface methodology and its applications in lactose hydrolysis

Response surface methodology was advantageously used to optimally immobilise a β-galactosidase from chick pea onto alkylamine glass using Box-Behnken experimental design, resulting in an overall 91% immobilisation efficiency. Analysis of variance was performed to determine the adequacy and significance of the quadratic model. Immobilised enzyme showed a shift in the optimum pH; however, optimum temperature remained unaffected. Thermal denaturation kinetics demonstrated significant improvement in thermal stability of the enzyme after immobilisation. Galactose competitively inhibits the enzyme in both soluble and immobilised conditions. Lactose in milk whey was hydrolysed at comparatively higher rate than that of milk. Immobilised enzyme showed excellent reusability with retention of more than 82% enzymatic activity after 15 uses. The immobilised enzyme was found to be fairly stable in both dry and wet conditions for three months with retention of more than 80% residual activity.

Immobilization of acid phosphatase on uncalcined and calcined Mg/Al-CO(3) layered double hydroxides

Acid phosphatase was immobilized on layered double hydroxides of uncalcined- and calcined-Mg/Al-CO(3) (Unc-LDH-CO(3), C-LDH-CO(3)) by the means of direct adsorption. Optimal pH and temperature for the activity of free and immobilized enzyme were exhibited at pH 5.5 and 37 degrees C. The Michaelis constant (K(m)) for free enzyme was 1.09 mmol mL(-1) while that for immobilized enzyme on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3) was increased to 1.22 and 1.19 mmol mL(-1), respectively, indicating the decreased affinity of substrate for immobilized enzymes. The residual activity of immobilized enzyme on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3) at optimal pH and temperature was 80% and 88%, respectively, suggesting that only little activity was lost during immobilization. The deactivation energy (E(d)) for free and immobilized enzyme on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3) was 65.44, 35.24 and 40.66 kJ mol(-1), respectively, indicating the improving of thermal stability of acid phosphatase after the immobilization on LDH-CO(3) especially the uncalcined form. Both chemical assays and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) observations implied that hydrolytic stability of acid phosphatase was promoted significantly after the immobilization on LDH-CO(3) especially the calcined form. Reusability investigation showed that more than 60% of the initial activity was remained after six reuses of immobilized enzyme on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3). A half-life (t(1/2)) of 10 days was calculated for free enzyme, 55 and 79 days for the immobilized enzyme on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3) when stored at 4 degrees C. Therefore, immobilization of acid phosphatase on Unc-LDH-CO(3) and C-LDH-CO(3) by direct adsorption is an effective means and would have promising potential for the practical application in agricultural production and environmental remediation.

Stabilization of beta-galactosidase (from peas) by immobilization onto amberlite MB-150 beads and its application in lactose hydrolysis

The soluble PsBGAL (from Pisum sativum ) is extremely unstable with loss of over 80% in enzyme activity within 24 h at 4 degrees C when the protein concentration was lower than 0.1 mg/mL. Enzyme immobilization onto Amberlite MB-150 beads (diameter = 5 microm) greatly stabilized the enzyme preparation, with almost no loss for 12 months at room temperature (27 degrees C). Enzyme (21.9 microg) was immobilized by 62.56% onto activated 100 mg of Amberlite MB-150 beads using 4% glutaraldehyde, at pH 6.0 (50 mM, sodium phosphate buffer). Statistical analysis carried out by ANOVA revealed that all parameters used during immobilization were equally important at P < 0.05 (level of significance). An approach toward commercial exploitation of Amberlite-PsBGAL especially in lactose hydrolysis was anticipated due to improved physicochemical properties including broad optimum pH and temperature, with a K(m) of 4.11 +/- 0.21 mM for lactose. Amberlite-PsBGAL hydrolyzed 64.57 and 69.18% of lactose present in milk and milk whey, respectively, within 10 h (at room temperature). Immobilized enzyme has reusability of over 10 batchwise uses, with almost no loss in activity. The easy accessibility of enzyme source, ease of its immobilization on Amberlite, lower cost of Amberlite, enhanced stability of Amberlite-PsBGAL, and comparable lactose hydrolysis in milk and milk whey described here make it a suitable product for future applications at laboratory and industrial scale.

Immobilization of urease by using chitosan-alginate and poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/kappa-carrageenan supports

Jack bean urease (urea aminohydrolase, E.C. 3.5.1.5) was entrapped into chitosan-alginate polyelectrolyte complexes (C-A PEC) and poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/kappa-carrageenan (P(AAm-co-AA)/carrageenan) hydrogels for the potential use in immobilization of urease, not previously reported. The effects of pH, temperature, storage stability, reuse number, and thermal stability on the free and immobilized urease were examined. For the free and immobilized urease into C-A PEC and P(AAm-co-AA)/carrageenan, the optimum pH was found to be 7.5 and 8, respectively. The optimum temperature of the free and immobilized enzymes was also observed to be 55 and 60 degrees C, respectively. Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) values for both immobilized urease were also observed smaller than free enzyme. The storage stability values of immobilized enzyme systems were observed as 48 and 70%, respectively, after 70 days. In addition to this, it was observed that, after 20th use in 5 days, the retained activities for immobilized enzyme into C-A PEC and P(AAm-co-AA)/carrageenan matrixes were found as 55 and 89%, respectively. Thermal stability of the free urease was also increased by a result of immobilization.