The preparation and properties of yeast β-fructofuranosidase chemically attached to polystyrene

Abstract

1. A process is described for the chemical attachment of an enzyme to the surface of a polystyrene matrix. 2. By this process yeast β-fructofuranosidase was chemically attached to the surface of both polystyrene beads and polystyrene tubes. 3. The kinetics of sucrose hydrolysis by β-fructofuranosidase and polystyrene-supported β-fructofuranosidase were compared. 4. The pH–activity curve of the polystyrene-supported enzyme shows a marked difference from that of the free enzyme in solution. 5. The inhibitor dissociation constant with respect to tris is increased, whereas the inhibitor dissociation constant with respect to aniline is decreased when the enzyme is attached to polystyrene. 6. Differences between the properties of the bound and free enzyme are discussed in terms of a micro-environmental effect arising from the hydrophobic nature of the polystyrene support.