Application

β -Amylase is used to hydrolyze α bonds of α-linked polysaccharides, such as starch and glycogen. β -Amylase, has been used in various plant studies, such as carbon starvation studies in Populus tremuloides . β -Amylase, from barley, has been used to study how pressure and temperature affect catalytic activity .

Biochem/physiol Actions

β-Amylase hydrolyzes the α-(1,4) glucan linkages in polysaccharides of three or more α-(1,4) linked D-glucose units. Natural substrates such as starch and glycogen are broken down into glucose and maltose. Pure, crystalline β-amylase preparation consists of four isoenzymes with different isoelectric points. The enzyme polymerizes very rapidly through the sulfhydryl groups in the absence of reducing agents. p-Chloromercuribenzoate inhibits the polymerization and the enzymatic activity. The reducing agents mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol can completely restore the activity.

General description

We are committed to bringing you Greener Alternative Products, which adhere to one or more of The 12 Principles of Greener Chemistry. This product has been enhanced for energy efficiency and waste prevention when used in starch ethanol research. For more information see the article in biofiles.

Other Notes

View more information on enzymes for complex carbohydrate analysis at www.sigma-aldrich.com/enzymeexplorer

Packaging

10000, 50000, 250000 units in poly bottle

Quality

Crude

Unit Definition

One unit will liberate 1.0 mg of maltose from starch in 3 min at pH 4.8 at 20 °C.