Carrier-based immobilization of Aerococcus viridans L-lactate oxidase

L-Lactate oxidase has important applications in biosensing and finds increased use in biocatalysis. The enzyme has been characterized well, yet its immobilization has not been explored in depth. Here, we studied immobilization of Aerococcus viridans L-lactate oxidase on porous carriers of variable matrix material (polymethacrylate, polyurethane, agarose) and surface functional group (amine, Ni²⁺-loaded nitrilotriacetic acid (NiNTA), epoxide). Carrier activity (A_c) and immobilized enzyme effectiveness (ɳ) were evaluated in dependence of protein loading. Results show that efficient immobilization (A_c: up to 1450 U/g carrier; ɳ: up to 65%) requires a hydrophilic carrier (agarose) equipped with amine groups. The value of ɳ declines sharply as A_c increases, probably due to transition into diffusional regime. Untagged L-lactate oxidase binds to NiNTA carrier similarly as N-terminally His-tagged enzyme. Lixiviation studies reveal quasi-irreversible enzyme adsorption on NiNTA carrier while partial release of activity (≤ 25%) is shown from amine carrier. The desorbed enzyme exhibits the same specific activity as the original L-lactate oxidase. Collectively, our study identifies basic requirements of L-lactate oxidase immobilization on solid carrier and highlights the role of ionic interactions in enzyme-surface adsorption.