Question

Advantages of immobilized enzymes over free enzymes

Answer 1

Advantages:-

1_Enzymes are not present with products so purifications/ downstream processing costs are low.

2_Enzymes are immediately available for reuse.

3_Allows for continuous processes.

4_Immobilised enzymes are more stable because immobilising matrix protects enzyme molecules.

Disadvantages:-

Immobilistaion requires additional time, equipment and materials so is more expensive to set up.

Immobilised enzymes may be less active as they can not mix freely with the substrate.

Any contamination is costly to deal with because the whole system would need to be stopped.