Abstract
In this study, a new support has been developed by immobilization of α-amylase onto modified magnetic Fe
3
O
4
-nanoparticles. The characterization of soluble and immobilized α-amylases with regards to kinetic parameters, pH, thermal stability and reusability was studied. The effect of polypyrrole/silver nanocomposite (PPyAgNp) percentage on weight of Fe
3
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4
and pH on the immobilization of α-amylase was studied. The highest immobilization efficiency (75%) was detected at 10% PPyAgNp/Fe
3
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4
-nanocomposite and pH 7.0. Immobilization of α-amylase on PPyAgNp/Fe
3
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4
-nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The reusability of the immobilized enzyme activity was 80% of its initial activity after 10 reuses. The immobilized enzyme was more stable towards pH, temperature and metal ions compared with soluble enzyme. The kinetic study appeared higher affinity of immobilized enzyme (K
m
2.5 mg starch) compared with soluble enzyme (K
m
3.5 mg starch). In conclusion, the immobilization of α-amylase on PPyAgNp/Fe
3
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4
-nanocomposite could successfully be used in industrial and medical applications.