Enhanced carbonation reaction using chitosan-based carbonic anhydrase nanoparticles.

The objective of the present study was to develop a single enzyme nanoparticle of carbonic anhydrase (SEN-CA), formed by modifying the surface of CA with a thin layer of organic/inorganic hybrid biopolymer such as chitosan. SEN-CA enhances the rate of CO2 hydration further, for subsequent fixation into stable mineral carbonates, compared to free CA. SENCA shows CO2 sequestration capacity of 147 mg of CaCO3/mg of CA, which is far better than CO2 sequestration capacity of 35 mg of CaCO3/mg for free CA under limiting concentration of CO2 (14.5 mg of CO2/10 ml). SEN-CA showed improved stability compared to free enzyme assayed by carbonation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]