Chapter 1 - Nanobiocatalysis: an introduction

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging innovation that has provided numerous nanoscale carriers for enzyme stabilization, immobilization, and transport. Nanotechnology combined with biotechnology offers exciting benefits for improving enzyme stability and activity under harsh environment. Owing to their exceptional physiochemical properties including mechanical, chemical, and thermal, nanomaterials should be considered as an ideal matrix for enzyme immobilization. In recent years, various nanomaterials including nanorods, nanoparticles, metal-organic frames, nanowires, nanosheets, and nanotubes have been utilized for enzyme immobilization. Enzyme immobilized on nanomaterials can be more stable, robust, and recyclable. While enzyme immobilization is generally associated with changes in the kinetic parameters and distortion and/or rigidification of enzyme structure, nanobiocatalysts have shown extensive applications in biomedicine, biodiesel, biosensing, biocatalysis, and bioremediation. In the present chapter, various nanomaterials and their applications on immobilized enzymes are discussed.