DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUOUS ENZYMATIC PROCESSES USING MILLIFLUIDIC DEVICES

Abstract

Enzymatic processes are widely used in our daily life starting from disease diagnosis to wastewater treatment because enzymatic reactions are highly specific under mild conditions. Recently, continuous enzymatic processes used in bioassays and hydrolysis of biomass have attracted huge attention. However, most bioassays require large sample volumes (~0.1 to 1 mL) which are not suitable for low-abundant enzymes. Moreover, enzymes need to be immobilized for continuous enzymatic process, but immobilization of enzymes often leads to loss of enzyme activity and low enzyme loading. In this thesis, we aim to address the challenges by developing millifluidic enzymatic processes which require small sample volume and an enzyme immobilization strategy which is applicable for decorating inert plastic surfaces of millifluidic devices.