RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of laser irradiation on enzyme activity. BACKGROUND DATA: Enzymes are catalysts of extraordinary efficiency, able to accelerate reactions by manifold. Enzyme laser light activation is currently a fast-growing field and a large number of studies have been produced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liquid CNPG amylase and control serum (Qualitrol 1H) were used in the experiments. Laboratory analysis of alpha-amylase was performed on two sample groups: (i) E + S and (ii) E + S + L, in six repetitions per irradiation dose. Group 2 was irradiated with gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) 904 nm at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 J/cm(2). Enzyme activity was read using a spectrophotometer equipped with a thermostatic chamber capable of precise absorbance measurement at 405 nm. RESULTS: The results were analyzed with the Student's t-test, and the percentage of enzyme activity was determined. Photomodulation of alpha-amylase activity by GaAlAs laser was analyzed following irradiation with different doses. Irradiation doses from 0.01 to 1 J/cm(2) led to differences in enzyme activity: 0.01 J/cm(2) (0.10%), 0.1 J/cm(2) (13.44%), 0.5 J/cm(2) (12.57%), and 1 J/cm(2) (-6.10%). CONCLUSION: Irradiation doses of 0.1 J/cm(2) and 0.5 J/cm(2) led to statistically significant increases in enzyme activity in comparison to the control. The similar curves of the effects of temperature and pH on enzymatic activity observed in this study suggest that laser irradiation also possess an optimum dose to modulate the enzymatic activity. That is, enzymes have an optimum laser dose (or range) at which their activity is maximal, whereas at higher or lower doses activity decreases.