Abstract
The rate parameters (Michaelis constant Km, i and molecular activity k0, i) of glucoamylase and α-amylase for amyloses with number average degree of polymerization (DPn) in the range of 12.6 to 305 were experimentally determined. The dependency of each rate parameter on the degree of polymerization above 11 of amyloses is presented by an empirical equation based on the experimental results obtained.
Also, the effects of the initial DPn on the hydrolysis of amylose by both enzymes was investigated experimentally and theoretically.
Operation for obtaining a desirable conversion of amylose to glucose in the shortest time possible was investigated by use of the rate parameters.
The sequential system of α-amylase to glucoamylase was found to be superior to the simultaneous enzyme system for the production of glucose. Based on this finding, the optimum DPn at the switching time from α-amylase to glucoamylase to obtain the desirable conversion was obtained.
