Analytical Applications of Immobilized Enzyme Reactors

Enzymes are bio-catalysts which effect transformation of substrates to products with high specificity. The usage of enzymes in domestic and industrial applications is well known and has been well documented since the early history of civilization. With the advances in understanding of enzymology, usage of enzymes in industrial and biotechnological pro­ cesses and molecular medicine has proliferated. One of the key factors in the widespread application of enzymes in modern technologies is the development of enzyme immobilization tech­ niques, which overcome certain practical, functional and economic con­ straints. Many natural enzymes can be stabilized by immobilization on solid matrices, with most of the activity retained, for a variety of applica­ tions. An important application of immobilized enzymes is in liquid chromatography. In the last decade, post-column enzyme detection has become established as an important discipline in liquid chromatography. The new detection approach offers more sensitive and specific ways for measuring major classes of biomolecules. Reactors are fabricated by packing the immobilized enzymes into small columns, which can be placed immediately after an HPLC column.

The editors, both experts in the field, succeeded in finding 18 co-authors who published numerous papers in the area of immobilized enzyme reactors. The result is a monograph with important practical information for those who want to use this type of chemistry in combination with liquid chromatography...a valuable tool for those developing new applications. - Journal of Chromatography; Overall, this book presents a very useful and well referenced introduction to the use of IMERs in chromatography. - Analyst; ...well written and accessible to the non-specialist...this is a well produced book, with a good number of illustration and references and a clear typeface...A useful reference book if you already use IMER technology, and equally useful if you are not a user but want to know more and get up to speed in this area. - Chromatographia