Ionic liquid co-lyophilized enzyme for biocatalysis in organic solvent: Remarkably enhanced activity and enantioselectivity

The room temperature solid-phase ionic liquid (RTSPIL) co-lyophilized enzyme exhibited markedly enhanced activity in organic solvent. The enzyme co-lyophilized with a dodecyl-imidazolium salt was 660-fold more active compared to its RTSPIL-free counterpart. The activity enhancement by RTSPILs was mainly attributable to the reduced particle sizes and improved dispersion of enzymes suspended in organic solvent. Also, the RTSPIL co-lyophilized enzyme displayed significantly enhanced enantioselectivity. Its enantioselectivity was 2.5-fold higher than that of its RTSPIL-free counterpart.