What are the Challenges Associated with Immobilized Enzyme Systems?
Despite their advantages, immobilized enzyme systems come with certain challenges:
Mass Transfer Limitations: Diffusion of substrates and products to and from the enzyme's active site can be hindered, affecting the reaction rate. Enzyme Deactivation: Immobilization methods can sometimes lead to partial deactivation of the enzyme, reducing its catalytic efficiency. Cost: Some immobilization techniques are expensive, which can limit their commercial application. Scalability: Scaling up immobilized enzyme systems from laboratory to industrial scale can be challenging due to differences in reaction dynamics.