Immobilization of proteases for biomedical and industrial applications

Bromelain, the main cysteine protease from Ananas comosus, and papain, the main cysteine protease from Caryca papaya, have many applications due to their broad substrate specificity. This chapter reviews strategies of the immobilization strategies of papain and bromelain on different supports. Special focus is placed on the gold-nanoparticles immobilization, due to facile synthesis and direct recovery in suspension to industrial and biocompatibility to medical applications. Problems specific to the immobilization of proteases (e.g., steric problems hydrolyzing large substrates) are also defined. The advantages of appropriate immobilization are described, as well as potential artifacts. Additionally, it is highlighted how our experience working on bromelain-gold nanoparticles could assist other researchers in standardizing the immobilization of different enzymes to nanoparticles or to different supports.