Synthesis and characterization of Ogataea thermomethanolica alcohol oxidase immobilized on barium ferrite magnetic microparticles

Alcohol oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of primary alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes, making it a potential biocatalyst in the chemical industry. However, the high production cost and poor operational stability of this enzyme are limitations for industrial application. Immobilization of enzyme onto solid supports is a useful strategy for improving enzyme stability. In this work, alcohol oxidase from the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Ogataea thermomethanolica (OthAOX) was covalently immobilized onto barium ferrite (BaFe12O19) magnetic microparticles. Among different conditions tested, the highest immobilization efficiency of 71.0 % and catalytic activity of 34.6 U/g was obtained. Immobilization of OthAOX onto magnetic support was shown by Fourier-Transformed infrared microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The immobilized OthAOX worked optimally at 55 °C and pH 8.0. Immobilization also improved thermostability, in which >65% of the initial immobilized enzyme activity was retained after 24 h pre-incubation at 45 °C. The immobilized enzyme showed a greater catalytic efficiency for oxidation of methanol and ethanol than free enzyme. The immobilized enzyme could be recovered by magnetization and recycled for at least three consecutive batches, after which 70% activity remained. The properties of the immobilized enzyme suggest its potential industrial application for synthesis of aldehyde.