Amylolytic enzymes

Abstract

Amylolytic enzymes act on starch and related oligo- and polysaccharides. The recent wealth of information on the DNA sequence, structural analysis and catalytic mechanism led to the extensive research on starch hydrolyzing enzymes which led the concept of the alpha amylase family. Amylolytic enzymes are extensively used in starch liquefaction, paper industries, food, pharmaceutical and sugar industries which demands a specific hydrolysis profile. To fulfill the industrial requirements, the primary concern is the formulation of a simple indigenous and cost effective system for producing high titers of amylases. One alternative low cost and feasible production method is the use of agro-industrial residues as fermentation substrates. These residues represent one of the best reservoirs of fixed carbon in nature. Considerable research has been carried out in the effective utilization of these residues in large scale production of enzymes. This chapter gives a brief overview on the wide range of naturally occurring agricultural by products explored so far for the production of amylolytic enzymes. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.