Chitosan-tethered microspheres for lactase immobilization

A comprehensive review on enzyme-based biosensors: Advanced analysis and emerging applications in nanomaterial-enzyme linkage

Biosensors with nanomaterials and enzymes detect and quantify specific targets in samples, converting recognition into measurable signals. The study explores the intrinsic synergy between these elements for detecting and quantifying particular targets in biological and environmental samples, with results demonstrated through bibliometric analysis and a comprehensive review of enzyme-based biosensors. Using WoS, 57,331 articles were analyzed and refined to 880. Key journals, countries, institutions, and relevant authors were identified. The main areas highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the field, and critical keywords identified five thematic clusters, revealing the primary nanoparticles used (CNTs, graphene, AuNPs), major application fields, basic application themes, and niche topics such as sensitive detection, peroxidase activity, and quantum dot utilization. The biosensor overview covered nanomaterials and their primary applications, addressing recent advances and inherent challenges. Patent analysis emphasized the U.S. leadership in the industrial sector, contrasting with China's academic prominence. Future studies should focus on enhancing biosensor portability and analysis speed, with challenges encompassing efficient integration with recent technologies and improving stability and reproducibility in the nanomaterial-enzyme interaction.

Chitosan-based oral hydrogel formulations of β-galactosidase to improve enzyme supplementation therapy for lactose intolerance

β-Galactosidase supplementation plays an important role in the life of people with lactose intolerance. However, these formulations are rendered ineffective by the low pH and pepsin in the stomach and pancreatic proteases in the intestine. Therefore, it is necessary to develop oral transport systems for carrying this enzyme in the active form up to the intestine, where the lactose digestion occurs. In this research, a new hydrogel was developed that could potentially be used for enzyme supplement therapy. In this regard, the chitosan-based β-Gal formulations described in the manuscript are an alternative long-acting preparation to the so far available preparations that allow for enzyme protection and mucosal targeting. These hydrogels were prepared from chitosan and polyethylene glycol and contained a covalently immobilized β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae. The β-galactosidase in the hydrogel was protected from degradation in a gastric medium at a pH of 2.5 and retained 75 % of its original activity under subsequent intestinal conditions. In the case of a simulated gastric fluid with a pH of 1.5, a copolymer containing methacrylic acid functional groups was sufficient to protect the hybrid hydrogel from the extremely acidic pH. In addition, the surface of the hydrogel was chemically modified with thiol and amidine groups, which increased the binding to intestinal mucin by 20 % compared with the unmodified hydrogel. These results represent a promising approach for oral transport as a reservoir for β-galactosidase in the small intestine to reduce the symptoms of hypolactasia.

Calcium alginate beads encapsulated PMMA-g-CS nano-particles for α-chymotrypsin immobilization

Chitosan grafted with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA-g-CS) was prepared via a free-radicals polymerization technique as a carrier for enzyme immobilization. α-Chymotrypsin (CT), as an enzyme model in this study, was immobilized onto the prepared PMMA-g-CS via covalent bonding. Calcium alginate (CA) beads were developed for encapsulating PMMA-g-CS-CT to produce PMMA-g-CS-CT/CA composite beads. Morphology and size of PMMA-g-CS particles were investigated by TEM and found to be in the nanoscale. The structure and surface morphology of the beads before and after immobilization process were characterized by FT-IR and SEM, respectively. Both the bound CT content and relative activity of immobilized enzyme were measured. A higher retained activity (about 97.7%) obtained for the immobilized CT at pH 9 for 24 h. The results indicated that immobilized CT maintained excellent performance even after 25 reuses and retained 75% from its original activity after 60 days of storage at 25 °C.