Surfactants can affect activity through enzyme-surfactant interactions such as interface adsorption where the substrate is located or competitive binding to the active site. The catalytic activity of lipases is mediated by interface activation. The interfacial activation is a feature that begins with an emulsion of the lipid substrate and thus provides an interface for the enzyme to function. Addition of surfactant reduces the surface tension between the organic and aqueous phase in the reaction medium and increases the emulsification rate. In this study, beta cyclodextrin and polyvinyl alcohol were used as a surfactant to see the effect on the hydrolytic activity of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The effects of neutral surfactant concentrations and ring effects on CRL activity were investigated and kinetic parameters were determined.

Keywords : Surfactant; Lipase; Activity; Cyclodextrin