The effects of the water-miscible organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, acetonitrile, N,N'-dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran) on the stability and catalytic activity of alpha-chymotrypsin (CT) immobilized on Eupergit CM were studied. Enhanced stabilities and activities were observed both as a consequence of immobilization and the presence of organic solvent, which in combination provide long term (at least 24 h) retention of activity, and up to 50-fold increase in 50% (v/v) methanol in buffer. Low quantities (20%, v/v) of acetonitrile not only prevented CT inactivation by autolysis at 20 degrees C but also induced a significant increase in the activity of both free (six-fold) and immobilized (two-fold) CT.