Comprehensive applications of ionic liquids in enzyme immobilization: Current status and prospects

Improving enzymes activity and stability is the crucial issue to solve the present problem in enzyme immobilization. Changes by the anions and cations of ILs have a prominent effect on enzyme activity, stability and structure. In recent years, some reviews have lacked a systematic discussion of the role of ILs as additives, linkers or modifiers in enzyme immobilization. Thus, in this comprehensive review, the vital roles of ILs in enzyme immobilization were discussed. The interactions between immobilization materials and enzymes can be regulated via various ILs, thus enhancing the efficiency of immobilized enzymes, improving the activity and stability of immobilized enzymes simultaneously. Furthermore, the roles of Poly ionic liquids, which have some special properties such as temperature, pH, and pressure responsiveness, in enzyme immobilization are also reviewed in this paper. Finally, the utilization of molecular dynamics (MD) in the screening and designing of suitable ILs is proposed as an opportunity and challenge for ILs in the application of immobilized enzymes. The systematic review provides valuable guidelines for the design and applications of ILs in the enzyme immobilization.