This research details the development of a hydrophobically modified chitosan membrane for enzyme immobilization and stabilization. Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide that is formed from chitin, which is abundant in the outer shells of insects and crustaceans. Chitosan is an inexpensive biopolymer, because it is the second most abundant biomass. Well known for it biocompatibility, biodegradability, chemical inertness, high mechanical strength, and non-toxic properties, chitosan is widely used in medical and biosensor applications. Chitosan was modified by reacting a saturated alkyl aldehyde with the free amino group on the chitosan backbone. This hydrophobic modification induces a micellar structure in the chitosan resulting in the formation of a mesopore structure whose size, pH, and hydrophobicity can be engineered for enzyme immobilization and stabilization. Studies of the physical and chemical properties of the membranes were completed, along with studies of the immobilization of dehydrogenase enzymes, including: NAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, and formate dehydrogenase. Lifetime studies have shown enzyme activity is maintained for greater than 6 months within the hydrophobically modified chitosan membrane, promising widespread application in biosensor and biofuel cell development.

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