Preparation of amino-functionalized silica supports for immobilization of epoxide hydrolase and cutinase: characterization and applications

Mesocellular foam silica (MCF) and Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA-15) were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and then amino-functionalized to immobilize two enzymes: epoxide hydrolase and cutinase. In order to achieve high stability and to maintain the activity of enzymes, the supports were surface-functionalized, and the glutaraldehyde cross-linking method was employed for further entrapment of the enzyme. Epoxide hydrolase was partially purified from red mung beans, while cutinase was produced byFusariumsp.ICT SAC1and used for immobilization. The developed biocatalysts were well characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, BET, TGA techniques and successfully employed for some reactions such as the chiral resolution of (R,S)-phenyl glycidyl ether, (R,S)-styrene oxide, (R,S)-phenyl ethanol and acylation of geraniol.