Agricultural Research Service

January 30, 2001

The invention provides compositions of active immobilized proteins which can be used in a variety of industrial applications. The proteins are immobilized in phyllosilicate, a sheet-like structure derived from soil minerals such as clay, and bound by a cross-linking agent such as tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS). Immobilized enzymes such as lipoxygenase, peroxidase, trypsin, alkaline phosphatase and hydroxylase are especially useful. The composition, which can be reused, is a solidified material with a pore size large enough to allow substrate diffusion, but small enough to entrap bioactive enzymes. The technology is an excellent reagent in the enzymatic production of lubricants, drying oils and pharmaceuticals.

An-Fei Hsu Hides, Lipids and Wool Research Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (215)233-6410 / Fax: (215) 233-6795 E-mail: ahsu@arserrc.gov	Thomas A. Foglia (Same as first inventor) (215)233-6480 / Fax: (215)233-6581 E-mail: tfoglia@arserrc.gov
Shu-I Tu Microbial Biophysics & Biochemistry Research Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (215)233-6466 / Fax: (215) 23-6581 E-mail: stu@arserrc.gov	Siuuan Shen (former ARS)