Dialysis membrane enclosed laccase catalysis combines a controlled conversion rate and recyclability without enzyme immobilization.

Laccase is a versatile multicopper oxidase that holds great promise for many biotechnological applications. For such applications, it is essential to explore good biocatalytic systems for high activity and recyclability. The feasibility of membrane enclosed enzymatic catalysis (MEEC) for enzyme recycling with laccase was evaluated. The dialysis membrane enclosed laccase catalysis (DMELC) was tested for the conversion of the non-phenolic model substrate 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS). Trametes versicolor laccase was found to be completely retained by the dialysis membrane during the process. The ABTS total conversion after DMELC reached the same values as the batch reaction of the enzyme in solution. The efficiency of DMELC conversion of ABTS under different process conditions including shaking speed, temperature, ABTS concentration and pH was investigated. The repetitive dialysis minimally affected the activity and the protein content of the enclosed laccase. DMELC retained 70.3 ± 0.8% of its initial conversion after 5 cycles. The usefulness of MEEC extends to other enzymes with the benefit of superior activity of an enzyme in solution and the recyclability which is normally only obtained with immobilized enzymes.