Theory 54/Biocatalysis
Immobilisation Is a Transfer Ratio
The claim
The benefit of immobilising an enzyme is set by the ratio of mass transfer rate to intrinsic catalytic rate, so a fast enzyme gains nothing from a poorly permeable support.
01The mechanism
Immobilisation can stabilise, but it also adds a diffusion barrier; when the intrinsic rate exceeds transfer, the apparent activity falls.
02Predictions
- P1Benefit should track the ratio.
- P2Support surface area alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Benefit tracking support area would remove the transfer term.