Influence of the Biocatalyst Support on the Activity of Immobilized Horseradish Root Peroxidase

Horseradish root peroxidase biocatalysts can be used to oxidize various phenolic compounds. In this work, peroxidase was covalently immobilized on inorganic SiO2 and Al2O3 carriers and magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The latter were synthesized by the polyol method. For all biocatalytic systems, the effect of modifying and activating agents was evaluated. For each biocatalyst, the optimal composition was determined, at which the biocatalyst is most active. All samples were tested in the oxidation reaction of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent. It was found that a biocatalyst based on peroxidase immobilized on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed the highest specific activity compared to the native form of the enzyme. Also, such a biocatalyst is easy to use due to the simplicity of its separation from the reaction mass.