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Abstract:
Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) is an extensively researched enzyme for several decades
for its capability to catalyze the hydrolysis of organophosphorus (OP) compounds. OP
compounds have been widely used as neurotoxic chemical warfare agents such as sarin and
soman, and also as pesticides such as paraoxon. The contamination of surface water due
to agricultural uses of OP compounds ... read moreis very common. While being the most potent
catalyst for the degradation of OP compounds, OPH faces critical limitations rising from
its inherent protein-based nature, such as the loss of activity in dry environment,
limited working environment and long term storage. By combining OPH with hydroxyl group
rich biopolymer chitosan, I demonstrate a simple fabrication method which sustains the
OPH activity while stored in a dry thin film format. OPH activity described by
Michaelis-Menten model was determined by enzyme kinetic studies. While the loss of
enzymatic activity was observed overnight, OPH dried in chitosan film displayed
prolonged activity for over a month. Furthermore, the reusability of the OPH-chitosan
film was demonstrated without the loss of activity. This prolonged stability of
chitosan-embedded OPH can be utilized toward facile remediation of contaminated
water.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University,
2011.
Submitted to the Dept. of Chemical and
Biological Engineering.
Advisor: Hyunmin
Yi.
Committee: Nakho Sung, and Sameer
Sonkusale.
Keyword: Chemical
Engineering.read less
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