Enzyme@Silicone: A Versatile Combo for Robust Synthetic Biocatalysis?
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Silicone‐based polymers are emerging as a highly promising yet underexplored platform for enzyme immobilization in synthetic biocatalysis. Combining exceptional thermal stability, chemical inertness, biocompatibility, and tunable properties, silicones are particularly well‐suited for robust and reusable biocatalysts in both batch and continuous processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of reported strategies for silicone‐supported enzyme immobilization, including attachment, entrapment, and composite formation. Silicone matrices have demonstrated unique advantages in organic and multiphase systems by enhancing enzyme stability, reducing leaching, and improving mechanical resilience. Recent developments, such as silCoat composites and hydrophilized silicone formulations, have extended the applicability of these materials across a broader range of enzyme classes and reaction conditions. However, challenges remain, including mass transfer limitations for hydrophilic substrates, limited research beyond lipase‐based systems, and scalability in industrial applications. By addressing these challenges, silicone‐based immobilization could play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable and efficient chemical synthesis, merging the versatility of enzymatic catalysis with the robustness of advanced polymeric materials.
Source: Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis
DOI: 10.1002/adsc.70738
Author: Marion B. Ansorge‐Schumacher
Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,650
OpenAlex ID: W7204472161