Immobilization of proteins with polyurethane polymers
AssigneeW. R. Grace & Co.
InventorsFrank Joseph Hartdegen, Wayne Elliott Swann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A protein which can be an enzyme is immobilized by: (a) admixing the protein and an isocyanate-capped liquid polyurethane prepolymer in the absence of water to form a resulting mixture (an intermediate product); and (b) forming the intermediate product by reacting it with water to form a polyurethane foam comprising the immobilized enzyme. When certain proteins in sufficient amount are mixed with the prepolymer in the absence of water the resultant protein prepolymer mixture will solidify to produce a solid non-foamed product containing a protein immobilized therein. Initially mixing the protein and prepolymer in the absence of water results in immobilization of a substantially greater amount of protein than when water is present.
Claims24
In a process for preparing an immobilized protein comprising admixing an isocyanate-capped liquid polyurethane prepolymer, the protein, and water to produce a polyurethane foam with the protein integrally bound to the polyurethane foam, the improvement comprising:
- (a) admixing the liquid polyurethane prepolymer and the protein in the absence of water to form a resulting solution;
- and (b) foaming the resulting solution by admixing it with an amount of water effective for producing foaming.
A process for preparing an immobilized protein comprising:
- (a) forming a first product by admixing, in the absence of water, the protein and a liquid polyisocyanate;
- (b) forming a second product comprising an isocyanate-capped liquid polyurethane prepolymer with the protein dissolved therein by admixing and reacting, in the absence of water, the first product and an amount of a polyol effective for forming the second product;
- and
- (c) forming the immobilized protein by admixing the second product and an amount of water effective for producing foaming.
A process for preparing an immobilized protein comprising:
- (a) forming a first product by admixing, in the absence of water, the protein and a liquid polyol;
- (b) forming a second product comprising an isocyanate-capped liquid polyurethane prepolymer with the protein dissolved therein by reacting, in the absence of water, the first product and an amount of a polyisocyanate effective for forming the second product;
- and
- (c) forming the immobilized protein by admixing the second product and an amount of water effective for producing foaming.
In a process for preparing an immobilized enzyme comprising admixing an isocyanate-capped liquid polyurethane prepolymer, the enzyme, and water to produce a polyurethane foam with the enzyme integrally bound to the polyurethane foam, the improvement comprising:
- (a) admixing, in the absence of water, the liquid polyurethane prepolymer and a substrate reactable with the enzyme to form a first composition;
- (b) admixing, in the absence of water, the first composition and the enzyme to form a second composition;
- and
- (c) foaming the second composition by admixing it with an amount of water effective for producing foam to form a poly(urea-urethane) foam comprising the immobilized enzyme.
A method of preparing biologically active polyurethanes comprising dissolving an effective amount of a biologically active protein in an isocyanate-capped liquid urethane prepolymer in the absence of water, and allowing said protein and prepolymer to react to form a solid non-foamed product, said protein characterized as being both soluble in said prepolymer and reactive therewith to yield a solid polyurethane wherein the protein is bound to the polymer in active form.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.