Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Immobilization of enzymes is one technique to make the use of enzymes cost-effectively.
Statement (II): The recovery of enzymes after enzyme immobilization is very difficult.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Hint:

Remember the main goal of enzyme immobilization: "easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst."
Since immobilization makes recovery extremely simple (not difficult), Statement II is false.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Enzymes are highly specific biological catalysts widely used in industrial biotechnology, food processing, and diagnostics.
However, free enzymes are often unstable, sensitive to temperature/pH fluctuations, and expensive, as they cannot be easily recovered from the reaction mixture after a single use.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements regarding enzyme immobilization:
- Statement (I): "Immobilization of enzymes is one technique to make the use of enzymes cost-effective."
Enzyme immobilization involves physically confining or binding enzymes to a solid, inert support matrix (such as silica, alginate beads, or polyacrylamide).
This increases their thermal and chemical stability and, crucially, allows the enzymes to be reused multiple times.
This multi-run reuse significantly lowers the cost per unit of product, making Statement (I) correct.
- Statement (II): "The recovery of enzymes after enzyme immobilization is very difficult."
This is incorrect.
One of the primary advantages of enzyme immobilization is that the recovery of the enzyme is very easy.
Because the enzymes are anchored to a solid, distinct support matrix, they can be easily separated from the liquid reaction products through simple filtration or centrifugation.
This prevents enzyme contamination in the final product and allows the recovered enzyme to be reused in subsequent batches.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.