Immobilization of thermostable microbial lipase by adsorption to macroporous inorganic carrier particles

U.S. Patent Number: 5342768

Abstract: A particulate immobilized microbial lipase is prepared by adsorption of lipase to macroporous inorganic carrier particles having specific characteristics. The carrier particles contain at least 65% silica or silicates, an excess of 90% particles having a size between 100 and 1000 .mu.m and an excess of 80% pores exhibiting a diameter of between 12 and 45 times the diameter of a lipase molecule. The lipase is adsorbed to the carrier particles by contacting the particles with an aqueous solution of lipase and drying the particles to a water content between 1 and 20%. The lipase is preferably a thermostable lipase from a Humicola species, Candida antarctica or Rhizomucor miehei. The particulate immobilized lipase is cheap to produce, exhibits a high specific activity, and can be used for interesterification of fats, hydrolysis of fats or synthesis of fatty acid esters.

Inventors: Pedersen; Sven (Gentofte, DK), Hansen; Tomas T. (Allerod, DK)

Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S (Bagsvaerd, DK)

Application Number: 07/678,342

Issued: 1994-08-30

Expired: 2006-08-30

Classes: 435/134 ; 435/135; 435/176

Field of search: 435/134,135,176,180

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