ABSTRACT
Phospholipase A! is known as an effective catalyst for hydrolysis of various phospholipids in enzymatic vegetable oil degumming. Immobilization is one of the most efficient strategies to improve its activity, recovery and functional properties
In this study, chitosan-co-polyethylene oxide [90:10] nanofibrous mat was successfully fabricated and modified with atmospheric plasma at different times [2, 6 and 10 min] to interact with enzyme molecules. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the membranes retained uniform nanofibrous and open porous structures before and after the treatment. PLA[1] was successfully immobilized onto the membrane surfaces via covalent bonds with the functional groups of chitosan nanofibrous mat. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the immobilization conditions for reaching the maximum immobilization efficiency
Enzyme concentration, pH, and immobilization time were found to be significant key factors. Under optimum conditions [5.03 h, pH 5.63, and enzyme dosage 654.36 UI], the atmospheric plasma surface modified chitosan nanofibers reached the highest immobilization efficiency [78.50%]
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the control and plasma surface-modified chitosan nanofibers revealed the functional groups of nanofibers and their reaction with the enzyme
The results indicated that surface modification by atmospheric plasma induced an increase in PLA[1] loading on the membrane surfaces