Improved catalytic properties of Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized on cetyl chloroformate-modified cellulose nanocrystals.

The catalytic activity of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) immobilized on modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with different hydrophobicity was investigated using experimental and theoretical approaches. Firstly, the modified CNC were characterized by multi-spectroscopic methods, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Moderately hydrophobic CNC were found to be an optimal support for CALB immobilization. Secondly, model systems contained a CALB molecule and different numbers of modified CNC molecules (CALB@3CNC-C16, CALB@10CNC-C16 and CALB@15CNC-C16) were prepared for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Root-mean-square fluctuation values (0.61-2.61 Å) of lid region were relatively high in CALB@10CNC-C16, indicating that modified CNC with moderate hydrophobicity favored forming a lid-open conformation of CALB. Finally, the esterification of oleic acid catalyzed by the immobilized CALB showed higher conversion (54.68 %) than free CALB (12.98 %). Insights into modified CNC with tunable properties provided by this study may be a potential support for improving the catalytic performance of lipases.