What is the Difference Between Free and Immobilized Enzymes?

The main difference between free and immobilized enzymes lies in their mobility and stability. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Mobility: Free enzymes are enzymes that can move from one place to another, whereas immobilized enzymes are fixed in one place and cannot move.
• Stability: Immobilized enzymes are generally more robust and resistant to environmental changes compared to free enzymes in solution.
• Reusability: Immobilized enzymes can be reused multiple times, as they are typically macroscopic catalysts that can be retained in the reactors. Free enzymes, on the other hand, are not as easily reused.
• Purification: Immobilized enzymes are easier to purify, which can be advantageous in certain applications.
• Recovery: Heterogeneous immobilized enzyme systems allow for easy recovery of both enzymes and products, as well as continuous operation of enzymatic processes, rapid termination of reactions, and greater variety of bioreactor designs.

However, immobilized enzymes often show lower activity compared to free enzymes. Researchers are continuously exploring carrier-free methods for immobilizing enzymes to improve product yield, stability, and catalytic efficiency.

Comparative Table: Free vs Immobilized Enzymes

The main difference between free and immobilized enzymes is that free enzymes are not bound to any substrate, whereas immobilized enzymes are attached to an inert material and cannot move from one place to another. Here is a table comparing the characteristics of free and immobilized enzymes:

Immobilized enzymes provide several advantages over free enzymes, such as increased stability, easier separation from products, and greater resistance to pH and temperature changes. This makes immobilized enzymes more suitable for various applications, including biotransformation processes, water treatment, antibiotic production, food processing, and more.