Purification and Characterization of Endogenous α-Amylase from Glutinous Rice Flour

Endogenous α-amylase activity is crucial for determining the end-use value of glutinous rice flour (GRF), and controlling it is a key goal in the milling process. Although the structure and properties of starch and protein in GRF have been extensively studied, there is little information on endogeno...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Huang Zhang, Fengjiao Zhang, Fengfeng Wu, Lichun Guo, Xueming Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/10/1679
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Summary:Endogenous α-amylase activity is crucial for determining the end-use value of glutinous rice flour (GRF), and controlling it is a key goal in the milling process. Although the structure and properties of starch and protein in GRF have been extensively studied, there is little information on endogenous α-amylase in GRF. In this study, endogenous α-amylase isolated from GRF was purified and characterized. It was found to have a molecular weight of about 32 kDa, with the highest specific activity at 60 °C and a pH of 6.0. The enzyme is stable below 50 °C and in the pH range of 4.0–7.0. Its activity is Ca<sup>2</sup>⁺-independent but inhibited by Cu<sup>2</sup>⁺, Zn<sup>2</sup>⁺, Mg<sup>2</sup>⁺, Mn<sup>2</sup>⁺, and Ba<sup>2</sup>⁺. Its activity is also reduced by β-mercaptoethanol. The enzyme hydrolyzes amylopectin most efficiently. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the enzyme contains 7.9% α-helix, 35.4% β-folding, 21.1% β-turning, and 35.9% random coils, with a T<sub>m</sub> value of 63.68 °C. These results suggest that temperature control may be the best strategy for reducing amylase activity in dry-milled GRF, providing a new approach for the development of GRF dry-milling techniques.
ISSN:2304-8158