Immobilization of Lipase CALB in Organically Modified Silica

In order to improve the activity of enzymes immobilized in silica, additives such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be introduced in the sol-gel process. This addition aims to protect the enzymes from denaturing effects by forming protection between the protein and the reaction medium. Thus, the aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of the use of the PEG additive in the process of immobilization of the commercial lipase of Candida antarctica B (CALB) in xerogel and aerogel obtained by the sol-gel technique. The mathematical model for the process was validated, and the optimum points determined were 0.09 g/ml of enzyme and 0.15 g/ml of polyethylene glycol additive for the xerogel and 0.12 g/ml of enzyme and 0.20 g/mL of polyethylene glycol additive for the aerogel. The maximum esterification activity and yield values were 544 U/g, 585%, and 266 U/g, 140% for xerogel and aerogel, respectively. Polyethylene glycol showed better performance in the esterification activity and stability as an additive when used in the xerogel, that is, when the process of obtaining the support uses the removal of the solvent only by evaporation. Regarding aerogel, a reduction in enzyme activity was observed, which may be due to the interaction of PEG with CO2 in the drying process.