Abstract: Carrageenan-immobilized enzymes are prepared that are stable and retain high activity toward substrates when used in substantially water-immiscible organic solvents. The carrageenan-immobilized enzymes are preferably prepared by introducing droplets of an enzyme/carrageenan solution into a chilled alcohol saturated with a potassium salt and hardening the droplets in the alcohol. The alcohol is selected from n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, n-propanol, isopropanol and sec-butanol. Reactions catalyzed by a .kappa.-carrageenan-immobilized esterase include steroselective transesterifications and hydrolysis reactions.

Abstract: An ampholyte separation apparatus and method which utilize a thermally engendered pH gradient to separate amphoteric molecules according to their isoelectric points and/or mobilities. Two independently temperature controllable thermal masses located on opposing ends of a plurality of barriers situated transverse to a flow channel create a pH gradient along the length of the transverse barriers. A pair of electrodes create an electric field along the length of the transverse barriers so as to cause ampholytes traveling down the flow channel to migrate into the transverse barriers and stabilize at points corresponding to their isoelectric points. Alteration of the pH gradient causes the separated amphoteric molecules to reenter the flow stream at different times and to be separately eluted and collected.