Synthesis of silica support for biocatalyst immobilization

Bioconversion processes utilizing an immobilized biocatalyst (enzyme) are widely used to synthesize various kinds of medicines. The support for biocatalyst, such as silica, plays an important role in the overall yield of the bioconversion reaction because they determine the loading capacity of the active biocatalyst. In this study, nanoporous silicas suitable for the support, were synthesized via a salt route and the pore morphology in silicas were characterized. Then, D-amino acid oxydase, the enzyme for the conversion reaction to synthesize an antibiotic, was immobilized in the above silicas and the activity of immobilized enzyme was investigated in relation to the pore morphology.