Abstract
An α-amylase which produces maltohexaose as the main product from starch was found in the culture filtrate of Bacillus circulans G-6 which was isolated from soil and identified by the author. The enzyme was purified by means of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The purified enzyme was homogeneous in disc electrophoresis. The optimum pH and temperature of the enzyme were around pH 8.0 and around 6°C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the range of pH 5-10 . The metal ions such as Hg2+, Cue+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and Co2+ inhibited the enzyme activity. The molecular weight was about 76, 000. The yield of maltohexaose from soluble starch of DE (dextrose equivalent) 1.8-12.6 was about 30%, and the combined action of the enzyme and pullulanase or isoamylase increased the yield of maltohexaose.
