THE RAW STARCH-DEGRADING ALKALINE AMYLASE OF BACILLUS SP IMD-370

The amylase of Bacillus sp IMD 370 is the first report of an alkaline amylase with the ability to digest raw starch. The amylase could degra de raw corn and rice starches more effectively than raw potato starch. It showed no adsorbability to any type of raw starch at any pH value tested. The enzyme digested raw corn starch to glucose, maltose, malto triose and maltotetraose. The maximum pH for raw starch hydrolysis was pH 8.0 compared to pH 10.0 for soluble starch hydrolysis. The metal c helator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, strongly inhibited raw starc h-digestion and its effect was reversed by the addition of divalent ca tions. Degradation of raw starch was stimulated six-fold in the presen ce of beta-cyclodextrin (17.5 mM).