Abstract
Mesostructured silica nanoparticles offer a unique opportunity in the field of biocatalysis thanks to their outstanding properties. The tunable pore size in the range of mesopores allows for immobilizing bulky enzyme molecules. The large surface area improves the catalytic efficiency by increasing enzyme loading and finely dispersing the biocatalyst molecules. The easily tunable pore morphology allows for creating a proper environment to host an enzyme. The confining effect of mesopores can improve the enzyme stability and its resistance to extreme pH and temperatures. Benefits also arise from other peculiarities of nanoparticles such as Brownian motion and easy dispersion. Fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution have led to the need for alternative sustainable and renewable energy sources such as biofuels. In this context, lignocellulosic biomass has been considered as a strategic fuel source. Cellulases are a class of hydrolytic enzymes that convert cellulose into fermentable sugars. This review is intended to survey the immobilization of cellulolytic enzymes (cellulases and β-glucosidase) onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their catalytic performance, with the aim to give a contribution to the urgent action required against climate change and its impacts, by biorefineries’ development.
Highlights
Environmental pollution and depletion of fossil fuel reserves are today two of the main challenges we are facing
This review is intended to survey the immobilization of cellulolytic enzymes onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their catalytic performance, with the aim to give a contribution to the urgent action required against climate change and its impacts, by biorefineries’ development
The immobilized enzyme showed higher activity than the free one. This was attributed to the proven activity of the functional groups on surface modified mesoporous cellular foams (MCF) toward the hydrolysis of critical micelle concentration (CMC)
Summary
Environmental pollution and depletion of fossil fuel reserves are today two of the main challenges we are facing. The excessive use of fossil fuels has additional negative effects on the environment such as the greenhouse effect, the phenomenon of acid rain, the depletion of the ozone layer, and the extreme climate changes This has led to the need for alternative, environmentally sustainable, and renewable energy sources [2]. Silanols can be functionalized with a variety of organic linkers, including amine, carboxylate, phenyl, and alkyl groups, to obtained covalent links with enzymes They can allow for the physical adsorption of the enzyme by secondary interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces. The main technique to produce OMS is the sol–gel route Using this route, it is possible to tune the size, shape, and morphology of the pores, by changing the synthesis parameters such as pH, water/alcohol molar ratio, and the chemical nature of the template, allowing for a proper environment to host an enzyme. The focus will be to give a broad overview of the most important aspects and critical issues concerning the immobilization of cellulase and β-glucosidase onto mesoporous silica substrates, with the aim to give a contribution to biorefineries’ development as well as a perspective on new opportunities for the future
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