ABSTRACT
In the past, even the most energy-intensive process was preferable to enzyme catalysis because energy was cheap. But as the energy crisis arose and researchers became aware of rapidly dwindling energy reserves, they sought other processes which would conserve energy. Destruction of the enzymes after one use seemed inefficient. This led to much research activity in immobilized enzymes. The subject of immobilized enzymes is discussed in at least one international symposium each year, the most notable being the Enzyme Engineering and the Gordon Research Conferences. Covalent attachment is the most commonly used immobilization method. This method suffers from a cost disadvantage, because the activation steps use expensive and sophisticated chemicals and technology. Stability of immobilized enzymes depends on a number of factors. Although many enzymes show increased temperature stability when immobilized, they all eventually lose activity. The cornstarch hydrolysate and the clinical testing industries are prime examples of successful uses of immobilized enzymes.
