An enzymatic continuous-flow reactor based on a pore-size matching nano- and isoporous block copolymer membrane

Nat Commun. 2024 Apr 17;15(1):3308. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47007-y.

Abstract

Continuous-flow biocatalysis utilizing immobilized enzymes emerged as a sustainable route for chemical synthesis. However, inadequate biocatalytic efficiency from current flow reactors, caused by non-productive enzyme immobilization or enzyme-carrier mismatches in size, hampers its widespread application. Here, we demonstrate a general-applicable and robust approach for the fabrication of a high-performance enzymatic continuous-flow reactor via integrating well-designed scalable isoporous block copolymer (BCP) membranes as carriers with an oriented and productive immobilization employing material binding peptides (MBP). Densely packed uniform enzyme-matched nanochannels of well-designed BCP membranes endow the desired nanoconfined environments towards a productive immobilized phytase. Tuning nanochannel properties can further regulate the complex reaction process and fortify the catalytic performance. The synergistic design of enzyme-matched carriers and efficient enzyme immobilization empowers an excellent catalytic performance with >1 month operational stability, superior productivity, and a high space-time yield (1.05 × 105 g L-1 d-1) via a single-pass continuous-flow process. The obtained performance makes the designed nano- and isoporous block copolymer membrane reactor highly attractive for industrial applications.

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis
  • Bioreactors*
  • Catalysis
  • Enzymes, Immobilized* / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Polymers