Synthesis and characterization of poly(magnesium acrylate) microgels

Langmuir. 2007 Jul 31;23(16):8538-43. doi: 10.1021/la700696h. Epub 2007 Jun 27.

Abstract

In this work, we present the synthesis of a novel poly(magnesium acrylate) microgel, its microstructural characterization, and its application as an enzyme immobilization system. The variation of the monomer concentration employed in the synthesis permitted to tune up the shape of the microgels in such a way that using 1.5 mol L(-1) we produced microgels of average size 40 microm formed by smaller subunits of around 1 microm. This fact confers the microgels a pomegranate-like structure that increases the specific surface of the system. Glucose oxidase (GOx) from Aspergillus niger was immobilized within the microgels with the aim of using them as bioreactors. The microgels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and by neutron scattering. The incorporation of the enzyme results in an increment in the network mesh size and the appearance of a new correlation length in the neutron scattering pattern. Finally, the enzymatic activity of the microgels with GOx entrapped was studied as a function of the microgel cross-linking content.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemical synthesis
  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry*
  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Gels
  • Glucose Oxidase / chemistry*
  • Magnesium / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Gels
  • carbopol 940
  • Glucose Oxidase
  • Magnesium