The production of a new fungal alpha-amylase degraded the raw starch by means of solid-state fermentation.

In this study, it was intended to produce a new fungal amylase by solid-state fermentation and purification and also to determine some of its biochemical properties. It was found that Penicillium brevicompactum had the best enzyme activity according to screening methods with amylase degrading raw starch, and P. brevicompactum was selected as the amylase source. Wheat bran, rice husks, and sunflower oil meal were tested to determine the best solid substrate. Wheat bran was determined as the best of these. The fermentation conditions were optimized for the production of amylase. The optimum fermentation conditions were found to be an initial moisture level for the solid substrate of 55%, moistening agent of 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), incubation period of 7 d, inoculum concentration of 2.5 mL, and incubation temperature at 30 degrees C. Penicillium brevicompactum alpha-amylase was purified 45.98 times by the starch affinity method. The K(m) and V(max) values of alpha-amylase for soluble starch were 5.71 mg/mL and 666.6 U/mL, respectively. This amylase showed maximum activity at between 30 and 50 degrees C and at pH 5.0. Initial enzyme activity was kept at 100% after incubation at 30 degrees C for 45 min. Enzyme was stable in the pH range of 4.0-5.0. This enzyme was activated by Mn(2+), Cu(2+), and Na(+) ions, and was inhibited by Mg(2+), K(+), Fe(3+), and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The molecular mass of P. brevicompactum alpha-amylase was found to be 32.5 kD by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Comparison of some properties of free and immobilized alpha-amylase by Aspergillus sclerotiorum in calcium alginate gel beads.

Some properties of immobilized alpha-amylase by Aspergillus sclerotiorum within calcium alginate gel beads were investigated and compared with soluble enzyme. Optimum pH and temperature were found to be 5.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively, for both soluble and immobilized enzymes. The immobilized enzyme had a better Km value, but kcat/Km values were the same for both enzymes. Entrapment within calcium alginate gel beads improved, remarkably, the thermal and storage stability of alpha-amylase. The half life values of immobilized enzyme and soluble enzyme at 60 degrees C were 164.2, and 26.2 min, respectively. The midpoint of thermal inactivation (Tm) shifted from 56 degrees C (for soluble enzyme) to 65.4 degrees C for immobilized enzyme. The percentages of soluble starch hydrolysis for soluble and immobilized alpha-amylase were determined to be 97.5 and 92.2% for 60 min, respectively.

Optimization of alpha-amylase immobilization in calcium alginate beads.

alpha-Amylase enzyme was produced by Aspergillus sclerotiorum under SSF conditions, and immobilized in calcium alginate beads. Effects of immobilization conditions, such as alginate concentration, CaCl(2) concentration, amount of loading enzyme, bead size, and amount of beads, on enzymatic activity were investigated. Optimum alginate and CaCl(2) concentration were found to be 3% (w/v). Using a loading enzyme concentration of 140 U mL(-1), and bead (diameter 3 mm) amount of 0.5 g, maximum enzyme activity was observed. Beads prepared at optimum immobilization conditions were suitable for up to 7 repeated uses, losing only 35% of their initial activity. Among the various starches tested, the highest enzyme activity (96.2%) was determined in soluble potato starch hydrolysis for 120 min at 40 degrees C.

Some properties of free and immobilized alpha-amylase from Penicillium griseofulvum by solid state fermentation.

Alpha-amylase was produced from Penicillium griseofulvum by an SSF technique. Alpha-amylase was immobilized on Celite by an adsorption method. Various parameters, such as effect of pH and temperature, substrate concentration, operational and storage stability, ability to hydrolyze starch and products of hydrolysis were investigated; these findings were compared with the free enzyme. The activity yield of immobilization was 87.6%. The optimum pH and temperature for both enzymes were 5.5 degrees C and 40 degrees C, respectively. The thermal, and the operational and storage stabilities of immobilized enzyme were better than that of the free enzyme. Km and Vmax were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk plots for both enzymes. Km values were 9.1 mg mL(-1) for free enzyme, and 7.1 mg mL(-1) for immobilized enzyme. The Vmax of the immobilized enzyme was approximately 40% smaller than that of the free enzyme. The hydrolysis ability of the free and immobilized enzyme were determined as 99.3% and 97.9%, respectively. Hydrolysis products of the a-amylase from P. griseofulvum were maltose, unidentified oligosaccharides, and glucose.

Production and properties of alpha-amylase from Penicillium chrysogenum and its application in starch hydrolysis.

Fungi were screened for their ability to produce alpha-amylase by a plate culture method. Penicillium chrysogenum showed high enzymatic activity. Alpha-amylase production by P. chrysogenum cultivated in liquid media containing maltose (2%) reached its maximum at 6-8 days, at 30 degrees C, with a level of 155 U ml(-1). Some general properties of the enzyme were investigated. The optimum reaction pH and temperature were 5.0 and 30-40 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at a pH range from 5.0-6.0 and at 30 degrees C for 20 min and the enzyme's 92.1% activity's was retained at 40 degrees C for 20 min without substrate. Hydrolysis products of the enzyme were maltose, unidefined oligosaccharides, and a trace amount of glucose. Alpha-amylase of P. chrysogenum hydrolysed starches from different sources. The best hydrolysis was determined (98.69%) in soluble starch for 15 minute at 30 degrees C.