Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Jun 21;30(1):505.
doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02782-2.

Biomedical and environmental applications via nanobiocatalysts and enzyme immobilization

Yosri A Fahim  1 , Waleed Mahmoud Ragab  2 , Ibrahim W Hasani  3 , Ahmed M El-Khawaga  4
Affiliations
Review

Biomedical and environmental applications via nanobiocatalysts and enzyme immobilization

Yosri A Fahim et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Nanobiocatalysts have emerged as transformative tools in biomedical science, enabling precise, efficient, and sustainable enzyme-based technologies. By immobilizing enzymes onto nanostructured materials, these systems overcome major limitations, such as poor enzyme stability, limited reusability, and high production costs. There are many immobilization techniques such as adsorption, covalent bonding, encapsulation, entrapment, and cross linking with a focus on their biomedical relevance. The incorporation of nanomaterials such as magnetic nanoparticles, porous silica, carbon nanostructures, and metal-organic frameworks has significantly enhanced enzyme performance under physiological conditions. A particular emphasis is placed on biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery, high-sensitivity biosensing, thrombolytic therapy for clot dissolution, and management of oxidative stress and inflammation. The emerging role of nanozymes engineered nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like activity is also discussed for their potential in diagnostics and disease modulation. Surface functionalization strategies are addressed to improve enzyme-carrier interactions and ensure biocompatibility in clinical environments. Despite promising outcomes, key challenges remain regarding large-scale production, potential nanotoxicity, and regulatory compliance. Addressing these limitations is essential for translating laboratory findings into practical biomedical solutions. This review provides a comprehensive perspective on how nanobiocatalyst-based platforms are reshaping therapeutic and diagnostic strategies in modern healthcare.

Keywords: Biomedical applications; Environmental applications; Enzyme immobilization; Nanobiocatalysts.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Synthesis techniques of nanoparticles
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Various methods of enzyme immobilization
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Properties of support matrix
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Parameters affecting immobilized enzymes
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Reshmy R, et al. Nanobiocatalysts: advancements and applications in enzyme technology. Biores Technol. 2021;337: 125491. - PubMed
    1. de Sousa IG, et al. Renewable processes of synthesis of biolubricants catalyzed by lipases. J Environ Chem Eng. 2023;11(1): 109006.
    1. Sigurdardóttir SB, et al. Enzyme immobilization on inorganic surfaces for membrane reactor applications: mass transfer challenges, enzyme leakage and reuse of materials. Adv Synth Catal. 2018;360(14):2578–607.
    1. Fahim YA, et al. A review on lipases: sources, assays, immobilization techniques on nanomaterials and applications. BioNanoScience. 2024;14(2):1780–97.
    1. Maghraby YR, et al. Enzyme immobilization technologies and industrial applications. ACS Omega. 2023;8(6):5184–96. - PMC - PubMed

Substances

LinkOut - more resources