Optimization of the activity in porous media of proton‐generating immobilized enzymatic reactions by weak acid facilitation

Abstract

In addition to the role of maintaining the pH, buffers can also facilitate the transport of H⁺ ions in acid‐generating systems. The role of this facilitation in proton transport in porous pellets on acid‐generating immobilized enzymic reactions is examined. The activity in these systems can be maximized by a proper control of facilitation, which involves the determination of the appropriate variables out of (1) the concentration of the weak acid, (2) the pH of the medium, (3) the bulk substrate concentration, and (4) the type of weak acid. Since the intrinsic activity (IA) of the immobilized enzyme is such that it exhibits an optimum with respect to the pH, a partial (optimal) removal of diffusional limitation by facilitation maximizes the activity when the bulk pH is larger than this optimum pH. A complete removal of diffusional limitations, however, maximizes the activity when the bulk pH is less than or equal to the above optimum pH. The control of the diffusional resistance can be achieved by controlling the extent of facilitation, hence by adjusting the parameters mentioned above. Computations have been carried out to examine the effect of each of these parameters on the activity of the immobilized enzyme. It is found that when the bulk pH is less than or equal to the optimum pH of the intrinsic activity of the immobilized enzyme, there exists a lower limit on the amount of weak acid required to maximize the activity. However, an optimum amount of weak acid is required to maximize the activity when the bulk pH is higher than that optimum pH. For a given activity the amount of weak acid is minimal if the pK of the weak acid is close to the bulk pH. The effect of coupling between the proton and substrate transport on activity control is also examined and the effect of geometry on activity is evaluated for spherical, cylindrical, and flat‐plate configurations.