Abstract:A genetically engineered bacteria CCMV-BL21 was firstly constructed, using the gene expressing cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) capsid protein as the template. The expression process of soluble CCMV CPs was then optimized by orthogonal experiments. After that, Ru nanoparticles was encapsulated in CCMV CPs self-assembled virus-like particles (VLPs) by in-situ reduction. The prepared catalyst Ru@CCMV was evaluated in catalytic hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Results showed that the optimal expression conditions of CCMV CPs were as follows: induction temperature 25 ℃, final concentration of IPTG 1 mmol/L and induction time 15 h. Under the optimal conditions, the content of expressed soluble CCMV CPs reached 181 mg/L fermentation broth, accounting for 93% of the total. Ru@CCMV exhibited higher catalytic activities in both reactions in comparison to Ru catalyst stabilized with citric acid ligands (Ru-CA) did. The reaction rate constants in hydrogenation of CAL and 4-NP over Ru@CCMV were calculated to be 0.17 min-1 and 0.50 h-1, respectively, while those over Ru-CA were only 0.11 min-1 and 0.36 h-1.