Electrospun epoxy-based nanofibrous membrane containing biocompatible feather polypeptide for highly stable and active covalent immobilization of lipase.

In this study, a novel poly (glycidyl methacrylate-co-methylacrylate)/feather polypeptide (P(GMA-co-MA)/FP) nanofibrous membrane containing reactive epoxy groups and biocompatible feather polypeptide (FP) was fabricated by electrospinning which was the first time used for the covalent immobilization of lipase. The results of FTIR spectra and SEM images of nanofibrous membrane before and after immobilization demonstrated that lipase has been successfully covalently immobilized on the nanofibrous membrane. FP was beneficial for the stabilization of the enzyme conformation which would promote the improvement of enzyme activity and stability. The P(GMA-co-MA)/FP-Lipase possesses a wide pH tolerance and high thermal stability, good reuse and organic solvent stability. The residual relative activity of immobilized lipase was about 38% which was treated under 70 °C for 3 h. The residual relative activity of immobilized lipase was 62% after 7 reuses and nearly 75% after being treated in methanol for 12 h. This study revealed that the biocompatible FP could be used as an additive to improve the enzyme activity and stability of immobilized enzyme on nanofibrous membranes.