Eutectozymes as Soft Hybrid Materials for Advanced Biocatalysis
Abstract
ABSTRACT The development of soft hybrid materials that combine structural integrity, biocompatibility, and catalytic function is a central challenge in advanced biocatalysis. Here, we introduce eutectozymes, enzyme‐loaded eutectogels built from natural hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HES) and stabilized through a dual supramolecular polymeric network. This unique architecture not only preserves the conformational integrity of enzymes but also creates confined microcavities acting as protective microreactors, thereby enhancing their stability and substrate affinity. Eutectozymes exhibit remarkable resilience under harsh operational conditions, including high temperatures, extreme pH, and organic solvents, while maintaining high catalytic efficiency and reusability. Their versatility is further demonstrated in environmental remediation, achieving over 90% degradation of recalcitrant dyes, and in antimicrobial applications against resistant bacterial strains. By synergistically merging the stabilizing properties of HES with robust gel matrices, eutectozymes establish a transformative platform for heterogeneous biocatalysis, opening new avenues in biotechnology, bioelectronics, and environmental technologies.
Article Details
Authors (11)
Manuel Eduardo Martinez Cartagena
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Lucia Suarez
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Aitor Ontoria
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Francisca J. Benitez
Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) and Polymers and Advanced Materials Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Elixabete Rezabal
Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) and Polymers and Advanced Materials Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
María Soledad Orellano
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Marcelo Calderón
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
Cristián Huck‐Iriart
Experiment Division ALBA Synchrotron Light Source Carrer de la Llum 2‐26 Cerdanyola del Vallès Barcelona Spain
Agustin S. Picco
Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas, Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA) UNLP ‐ CONICET La Plata Argentina
Matias L. Picchio
Ana Beloqui
POLYMAT Applied Chemistry Department Faculty of Chemistry University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain