Towards Controlling the Reactivity of Enzymes in Mechanochemistry: Inert Surfaces Protect β-Glucosidase Activity During Ball Milling

The activity of β-glucosidases—the enzymes responsible for the final step in the enzymatic conversion of cellulose to glucose—can be maintained and manipulated under mechanochemical conditions in the absence of bulk solvent, either through an unexpected stabilization effect of inert surfaces, or by altering the enzymatic equilibrium. The reported results illustrate unique aspects of mechanoenzymatic reactions that are not observable in conventional aqueous solutions. They also represent the first reported strategies to enhance activity and favor either direction of the reaction under mechanochemical conditions.