Enzymatic Detoxification of Chemical Warfare Agents: Immobilization of the Enzyme for Material Surfaces

Abstract

The objective of this research is to investigate feasibility of immobilizing squid-type DFPase on fabrics such as nylon, polyester, cotton and polyester-cotton blends and on polyethylene glycol. Large quantities (about 15, 000 units) on of the enzyme was prepared from the hepatopancreas tissues of East Coast (ECHP) and West Coast (WCHP) squid belonging to the species, Loligo Pealii and Loligo Opalescens. The purified enzyme preparations were characterized by their activities against diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP), isopropylmethylphosphonofluoridate (SARIN) and pinacolylmethyl phosphonofluoridate (SOMAN) and their kinetic constants (KM and VMAX). The enzyme-immobilization study included the exploration of different preactivation methods involving treatment with (1) glutaraldehyde, (2) triethyloxoniumtetrafluoroborate (TTFB), (3) tresylchloride, (4) isocyanide, (5) cyanuric chloride and (6) KMnO4-oxidation. Results of examination of the DFPase- immobilized matrices showed agent-specific activities (DFP, SOMAN and SARIN) in the range 3.5 to 17.7 units/gram. A number of them retained up to 90% of their initial enzyme activity over a 90-day period. This is indicative of a good potential for this technical approach squid-type DFPase.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA231056

Entities

People

  • K. S. Rajan

Organizations

  • IIT Research Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Anatomy
  • Animal Structures
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Detoxification
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Molecular Biology
  • Polyesters
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polyethylenes
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Neurotoxicology