Lignin from bamboo shoot shells as an activator and novel immobilizing support for α-amylase

This study examined the feasibility of alpha-amylase activation and immobilization, using lignin from bamboo shoot shells (BSS). Our results demonstrated that BSS lignin is an excellent alpha-amylase activator and it elevated alpha-amylase activity more than two-fold at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. For immobilization of alpha-amylase via adsorption, BSS lignin was incubated in an alpha-amylase solution (5 mg/ml) for 20 min, and the maximum specific activity, amount of loaded protein and activity recovery were 92.4 U/mg, 19.0 mg/g and 111%, respectively. In contrast to its free counterpart, immobilized alpha-amylase improved the catalytic efficiency and storage stability, under comparable working conditions (temperature and pH). Regarding its convenient usage, immobilized enzyme can be suspended in advance, but a suspension incubated at 60 degrees C should be used within 30 min. The residual activity after 14 re-uses remained at a reasonable level (53.2%). In conclusion, this study reveals a novel support for enzyme immobilization. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.