| Title:  Amylase CAS Registry Number:  9000-92-4 Literature References:  Enzymes catalyzing the hydrolysis of a-1®4 glucosidic linkages of polysaccharides such as glycogen, starch, or their degradation products.  Endoamylases attack the a-1®4 linkage at random.  A single type of endoamylase is known, i.e., a-amylases (a-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolases), so named, because the reducing hemiacetal group liberated by the hydrolysis has a optical configuration and mutarotates downward.  The more common a-amylases include those isolated from human saliva, human, hog and rat pancreas, Bacillus subtilis, B. coagulans, Aspergillus oryzae, A. candidus, Pseudomonas saccharophila, and barley malt.  Exoamylases attack the a-1®4 linkages only from the non-reducing outer polysaccharide chain ends.  Those breaking every glucosidic bond to produce solely a-glucose are known as glucoamylases (g-amylases).  Those breaking every alternate bond to produce maltose are known as b-amylases (a-1,4-glucan maltohydrolases).  Exoamylases are exclusively of vegetable or microbial origin.  Reviews:  Fischer, Stein, "a-Amylases" and French, "b-Amylases" in The Enzymes Vol. 4, P. D. Boyer et al., Eds., (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1960) pp 313-343, 345-368; J. A. Thoma et al., ibid. Vol. V (3rd ed., 1971) pp 115-189; W. M. Fogarty, C. T. Kelly, Microbial Enzymes and Bioconversions, A. H. Rose, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 1980) pp 115-170.   Derivative Type:  a-Amylase (porcine)  CAS Registry Number:  9000-90-2 Trademarks:  Maxilase (Sanofi Winthrop) Literature References:  Enzyme derived from swine pancrease.  mol wt ~45,000.  Prepn:  Caldwell et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 4033 (1952).   Derivative Type:  a-Amylase (bacterial)  CAS Registry Number:  9000-85-5 Literature References:  Usually derived from Bacillus subtilis.  Purification:  Stein, Fischer, Helv. Chim. Acta 40, 529 (1957).   Derivative Type:  b-Amylase (sweet potato)  CAS Registry Number:  9000-91-3 Literature References:  Mol wt ~152,000.  Prepn:  Balls et al., J. Biol. Chem. 173, 9 (1948).   Use:  In starch processing, brewing, distilling, baking, animal feed, sewage treatment. Therap-Cat:  Enzyme (digestive aid). Keywords:  Digestive Aid; Enzyme; Digestive.  |