Low-Cost Foods and Drugs Using Immobilized Enzymes on Biopolymers

The cost of food and drugs is dramatically increasing on a universal scale, as a result, the production of low-cost foods and drugs is of major national concern. This abstract aims to summarize some of the authors research work on low-cost biopolymers, as an alternative to the expensive carriers, such as Eupergit C, for the immobilization of industrial enzymes to produce more economical foods and drugs. The novel carriers are 15-25 times cheaper compared to the commercial ones in the market (Agaroses and Eupergit C). The present work has been internationally reported and appreciated by specialized scientific websites. From a preliminary study of the world markets and needs, three enzymes, namely, ┚galactosdiase, inulinase and penicillin acylase, have been chosen for immobilization. ┚galactosdiase will solve 70% of the worldwide population suffering from lactose intolerance, as well as, protecting the environment by converting wastes, as whey, to lactose free syrup; inulinase produces fructose, which is 4 times sweeter than glucose and has, additionally, the advantage of being recommended to diabetics and people on a diet. Penicillin acylase produces 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), which is the precursor for the production of 19% of the worldwide antibiotics, such as Ampicillin and Amoxicillin. Immobilization of enzymes on natural biopolymers, such as grafted carrageenan, chitosan and alginate will, practically, enable the separation and reusability of the enzymes for tens of times, which will, consequently, reduce both the enzyme and the product costs. Accordingly, we are expecting the prices of foods and drugs to be significantly reduced. One of the major advantages of the immobilization of enzymes, that we have achieved, is the improvement of the enzymes' thermal, as well as, operational stabilities.