In the present work we applied the sol-gel method to obtain glass lentils entrapping beta-D-galactosidase (beta-Gal) (Ebeta-Gal) within a silicate matrix. The effect of pH, temperature, polarity and salt concentration on the activity of Ebeta-Gal was studied. Apparent kinetic parameters for ortho-nitro-phenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside hydrolysis catalyzed by Ebeta-Gal (V'max, K'M) were lower compared to the soluble enzyme (Sbeta-Gal), reflecting the solute diffusion restriction imposed by the matrix observed in the time curves, a partial protein inactivation upon encapsulation, and an improvement in the affinity of Ebeta-Gal for the substrate as compared with Sbeta-Gal.
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