Production of Aspartame by Immobilized Thermolysin

The aim of this study was the production of aspartame by using immobilized thermolysin in bentonite clay. The yield of immobilized thermolysin in bentonite was 92% of the original enzyme amount. pH profile of free and immobilized enzyme was 7.0 and 7.5 respectively which was stable at 6.5-9.0 for 30min. The optimum temperature of both enzymes was 50°C, while they were stable at 65°C for 30min. however, they lost 52.73 and 61.72% from its main activity at 80°C respectively. Immobilized thermolysin has retained all activity within 27 days, but it kept 68.27% of initial activity when stored for 60 days at 4°C whereas, it retained a full activity after 20 continue usage. In addition, it retained 86.53% of its original activity after 30 continuing usages. The yield of produced aspartame was increased with reaction time; it was 9% after 1h and increased gradually to 100% after 10h at reaction conditions.