‘Gellasan’: a Novel Polyionic Matrix for Lipase Immobilization

Solanki S N; Pokharkar V B; Solanki N R

doi:10.31838/ijprt/03.01.02

Authors

Solanki S N Department of Biotechnology, Vidyabharati Trust College of Pharmacy, Umrakh, Ta: Bardoli, Dist: Surat.
Pokharkar V B Department of Biotechnology, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Erandwane, Pune, Maharashtra.
Solanki N R Department of Biotechnology, Vidyabharati Trust College of Pharmacy, Umrakh, Ta: Bardoli, Dist: Surat,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31838/ijprt/03.01.02

Keywords:

Chitosan, Factorial design, Gellan Gum, Gellasan, Ionotropic gelation, Lipase

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of ‘Gellasan’ - chitosan crosslinked gellan gum as a novel matrix for lipase immobilization. The biocatalyst used was Porcine Pancreas Lipase (triacylglycerol esterase) (EC 3.1.1.3). Gellan being heteroanionic and chitosan being cationic, the interaction between them resulted in the formation of ionic crosslinked Gellasan beads. The hydrogel beads were prepared and optimized using a 32 factorial design by ionotropic gelation technique. The beads were characterized by IR studies, Scanning Electron Microscopy. The lipase activity was assayed using para-nitrophenylpalmitate as substrate with the highest activity of 261.1U/g of support. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 192-226 µm. The beads showed a pH dependent swelling with a significantly higher swelling index at pH 7.4 in phosphate buffer than in 0.1 N HCl. The percent release of the enzyme for the freeze-dried beads was found to be 2.5-19% while of air-dried beads were 1.5-16% in 0.05 M Tris HCl buffer pH 7.4 within 8 hrs. Thus, the two polymers gellan and chitosan were compatible for lipase immobilization and may become a potential delivery system to control the release of drugs in future.