Purification and Effects of Some Divalent Metals ions on α and β -Amylases Produced from Eleusine coracana Malt

Abstract

Abstract-Amylases being industrial enzymes are in high demand for the hydrolysis of starch used for the production of various industrial products. Crude extracts of the enzymes were obtained from Eleusine coracana (Finger millet) and purified using Reverse Phase –Column Chromatography and gradient mobile phases. The enzymes were purified and various studies carried out to ascertain the extend of purification and activity of the enzymes. The enzymes were purified 1.82 fold and specific activity was obtained as 133µmol/mg. It was also observed that alpha amylase was most effective at temperatures 40-550C while beta amylase was between the temperatures of 40-450C. The crude enzyme extracts had an activity optimum temperature range of 35-550C . The optimum pH for the various enzymes were found to be: α1 -7.0, α2-6.0, β1-6.0, β2-7.5 while the crude enzyme extracts had pH optimum of 6.5-7.5. The effect of the metal ions on the activity of the enzymes showed that the crude enzyme extract and β1-amylase were greatly influence while the other enzymes were not significantly affected by the metal ions. The results of the analysis showed that the enzymes obtained from the local grains Eleusine coracana are potential sources of enzyme for hydrolysis of cereal grains for use in the production of industrial products such as alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks