Immobilization of Invertase by a New Economical Method Using Wood Sawdust Waste

A novel technique was adopted using wood waste as a new carrier for adsorption of invertase. The new method improved activity, pH and thermal stability of the immobilized invertase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was more resistant to washing out by concentrated salt solution (6M NaCl). This result encourages using sawdust as matrix for purification of invertase or may be for other enzymes. Optimum conditions for activity were not affected by immobilization and it was found that the optimum pH and temperature for either free or immobilized enzymes were 5.6 and 60 C respectively. Immobilized invertase was however, more stable at high pH and temperatures. There 0 was no leaching of the enzyme for at least 2 months when stored in refrigerator. The immobilized invertase was less sensitive to inhibition by impurities found in molasses and was applied for continuous sucrose hydrolysis in column bioreactor. This method can be used for the industrial production of invert sugar.