Immobilization of an Invertase Produced by a Bacterium Isolated from the Peach Palm Fruit ( <i>Bactris gasipaes</i> ): Influence of the Support Material and Biochemical Characterization

This study evaluated the immobilization of an invertase from Bacillus tequilensis, isolated from the fruit of the peach palm, on silica gel (SG) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), aiming at its application in sucrose hydrolysis for invert sugar production. Immobilization was performed at 30 °C and pH 5.5 using glutaraldehyde-functionalized supports. Immobilization yield (IY), recovered activity (RA), kinetic parameters, and pH, thermal, storage, and operational stabilities were evaluated. IY values reached 72% (SG) and 77% (PHB), with RA of 35% and 67%, respectively. Both immobilized derivatives exhibited improved storage stability compared to the soluble enzyme. The SG-immobilized invertase demonstrated enhanced thermostability and higher fructose production and retained over 50% of its activity after three reuse cycles. In contrast, the PHB derivative showed greater substrate affinity. These results demonstrate that the B. tequilensis invertase immobilized on SG is a promising and stable biocatalyst derived from the Amazonian biodiversity, suitable for sustainable invert sugar production.