Effect of Chemicals and Cations on the Activity of Partially Purified alpha amylase produced by Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Amylases are one of the most important enzymes used in the industry. They are responsible for the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen. This research aimed to investigate the effect of cations (Ca2+ and K+) and chemicals (EDTA and HgCl2) on alpha amylase activity. Alpha amylase was produced by Aspergillus niger under submerged fermentation conditions in a basal salt medium. The enzyme was partially purified with activated carbon which gave a 1.57 purification fold. The effects of ethylene diamine tetratacetic acid (EDTA), mercuric chloride (HgCl2), Calcium ion (Ca2+) and Potassium ion (K+) on the partially purified enzymes were then investigated. The enzyme was inhibited to varying degrees by EDTA and HgCl2 with inhibition of approximately 62% and 52% occurred with 8mM of EDTA and HgCl2 respectively, but stimulated by Ca2+ and Potassium ion K+. Activated carbon partially purified alpha amylase produced by A. niger with a high yield. The cations and chemicals had varying effects on the enzyme.