Deep eutectic solvents functionalized polymers for easily and efficiently promoting biocatalysis

Biocompatible and magnetic polymers of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone deep eutectic solvent, VP DES) were investigated to determine whether they could efficiently adsorb L-asparaginase, which is an important enzyme inhibiting the growth of certain tumor cells. A series of poly(VP DES)s were successfully obtained, and that based on VP–malonic acid (VP/MA molar ratio of 1:1) was found to be the best for L-asparaginase adsorption. In addition, L-asparaginase was easily separated with biocompatible poly(VP-MA DES) from Escherichia coli extracts under a magnetic field with a high specific activity toward the hydrolysis of L-asparagine, as determined by the Nessler reaction method. Based on this work, poly(VP-MA DES)s seem ideal carriers via adsorption for the delivery of specific enzyme for the biocatalysis.