Lipase biofilm deposited by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation technique

tLipase is an enzyme that finds application in biodiesel production and for detection of esters and tri-glycerides in biosensors. Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE), a technique derived fromPulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) for deposition of undamaged biomolecules or polymers, is characterizedby the use of a frozen target obtained from a solution/suspension of the guest material (to be deposited)in a volatile matrix (solvent). The presence of the solvent avoids or at least reduces the potential damageof guest molecules by laser radiation but only the guest material reaches the substrate in an essentiallysolvent-free deposition. MAPLE can be used for enzymes immobilization, essential for industrial applica-tion, allowing the development of continuous processes, an easier separation of products, the reuse of thecatalyst and, in some cases, enhancing enzyme properties (pH, temperature stability, etc.) and catalyticactivity in non-aqueous media. Here we show that MAPLE technique can be used to deposit undamagedlipase and that the complex structure (due to droplets generated during extraction from target) of thedeposited material can be controlled by changing the laser beam fluence.