Rapid In Situ Immobilization of Enzymes in Metal–Organic Framework Supports under Mild Conditions

The use of a metal–organic framework (MOF) as a support for the in situ immobilization of enzymes was explored. The MOF support, a Basolite F300-like material, was prepared from FeCl₃ and the tridentate linker trimesic acid. Immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase, lipase, and glucose oxidase was performed in situ under mild conditions (aqueous solution, neutral pH, and at room temperature) in a rapid and facile manner with retention of activity for at least 1 week. The catalytic activities of lipase and glucose oxidase were similar to the activities of the free enzymes; with alcohol dehydrogenase, there was a substantial decrease in activity on immobilization that may arise from diffusion limitations. The approach demonstrates that a MOF material, prepared from cheap and commercially available materials, can be successively utilized to prepare stable and catalytically active biocatalysts in a rapid and facile manner.