Question

Which of the following method can be applied when substrates molecules are much smaller than enzyme?

(a) Covalent binding

(b) Adsorption

(c) Hollow fiber

(d) Entrapment

This question was posed to me in a national level competition.

I need to ask this question from Methods of Immobilization topic in division Immobilized Enzymes Preparation and Kinetics of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) Hollow fiber

To explain I would say: Hollow fiber is the method which can be applied when substrate molecules are much smaller than enzyme. Hollow fiber is the method used in membrane confinement. Membrane confinement involves confining an enzyme molecule within a semipermeable membrane. The hollow fibers are filled with enzymes in the lumen and then submerging the fiber in substrate. This provides an extremely large surface area per unit volume.