Polyelectrolyte Complex (PEC) of the Alginate-Chitosan Membrane for Immobilizing Urease

Dhony Hermanto (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences, University of Mataram, Jalan Majapahit No.62, Mataram 83125, Nusa Tenggara Barat)
Mudasir Mudasir (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences, University of Gadjah Mada, Jalan Sekip Utara BLS 21, Bulaksumur, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281)
Dwi Siswanta (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences, University of Gadjah Mada, Jalan Sekip Utara BLS 21, Bulaksumur, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281,)
Bambang Kuswandi (Chemo and Biosensor Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jember, Jalan Kalimantan I No.2, Sumbersari 68121, Jember, Jawa Timur)
Nurul Ismillayli (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Fundamental Sciences, University of Mataram, Jalan Majapahit No.62, Mataram 83125, Nusa Tenggara Barat)

Journal of Mathematical and Fundamental Sciences
Vol. 51 No. 3 (2019)

PEC of the alginate-chitosan membrane as supporting material for immobilizing urease was produced. This study aimed to develop a supporting material for enzyme immobilization that has high stability, a fast response time and an easy and relatively inexpensive preparation procedure. An alginate-chitosan PEC membrane was produced by reacting alginate hydrosol and chitosan (1:1 in mass) at pH 5.28, followed by mixing and drying at room temperature. The FTIR spectra, XRD patterns and SEM assay confirmed that alginate-chitosan PEC was obtained. The color change of the BTB indicator proved that urease was trapped in the cavities of the alginate-chitosan PEC membrane while the immobilized urease still showed catalytic activity. Thus, the membrane of alginate-chitosan PEC has good characteristics as a matrix for urease immobilization.