Date of Award

1-1-2001

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Institute for Advanced Studies

Department

-

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

ln this study, laccase from Novo Nordisk was chosen for biochemical characterization and immobilization investigation. The specific aims of this work was to develop optimum conditions for immobilization of laccase by entrapment method using copper alginate and characterize the laccase biochemically. The pH optimum of the crude enzyme extract was 5.5 and was found to be stable over a wide range of pH values. The apparent molecular weight of this enzyme was around 79,000 Daltons. Three peaks of activity (isoenzymes) were obtained from isoelectric focusing of pH values 4.7, 5.2 and 6.0. The optimum pH of the immobilized laccase by entrapment into copper alginate beads was 6.0. Laccase amount of 5mg was found to provide the optimum level of activity by entrapment method. The optimum temperature of activity for the free and immobilized laccase was found to be 30°C. At higher temperature there was a significant reduction in activity. Thermal stability of immobilized laccase did not result in any increase in stability compared to the soluble enzyme. Considering the cost of immobilization it is therefore advisable to work at room temperature. Storage stability was also studied. It appears that the local amount of 100 µ1 laccase within the copper alginate beads did not drastically improve their storage in this study.

Initial

snms

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A) -- Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, 2001.

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