Immobilization and characterization of cellulase on iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient re-usability

Muinat Olanike Kazeem

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Science, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Emmanuel Boluwatife Akanbi

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Science, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Gbemisola Elizabeth Ogunleye

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, KolaDaisi University, Oyo State, Nigeria

Kubrat Abiola Oyinlola

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.56

Keywords: Cellulase Immobilization Iron oxide Nanoparticles Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersion X-ray Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Re-usability

Abstract

The high sensitivity to pH and temperature, as well as separation difficulties of free cellulase restrict efficient lignocellulose biotransformation. Enzyme immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles offers a new technique for stabilizing enzymes, with easy reuse. The study reports the synthesis of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNps) for cellulase immobilization. By co-precipitating Fe2+ and Fe3+ in a 2:1 molar ratio, the Fe3O4 Nps was created. Cellulase was immobilized using glutaraldehyde as a cross linker. UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Energy Dispersed X-ray spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were studied to determine the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band, functional group, element, size, shape and binding of the cellulase to the Nps. The impact of pH, temperature, stability and reusability of the immobilized enzyme were investigated. UV-peak at 320 nm indicates small nanoparticle size while FTIR bands at 500-700 cm indicate iron oxide Fe-O bonds vibrations. A characteristic peak at 1441 cm and 1435 cm for nanoparticles and immobilized cellulase indicates uncoordinated carbonate anion. Agglomeration of iron oxide nanoparticles (20 nm) was observed after cellulase immobilization. The optimum temperature of free cellulase shifted from 50 to 60°C after immobilization and the pH was stable at a range of 4 to 7. Better thermal and storage stability were displayed by the immobilized cellulase, which retained 71% activity after the fifth cycle of reuse. Immobilized cellulase-Fe3O4 MNps outperformed free cellulase in terms of pH tolerance, thermal stability, and storage stability. Additionally, because it can be recycled numerous times, it is commercially viable.

How to Cite

Kazeem, M. O. ., Akanbi, E. B. ., Ogunleye, G. E., & Oyinlola, K. A. . (2025). Immobilization and characterization of cellulase on iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient re-usability. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 30(04), APST–30. https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.56

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