Action pattern of alpha‐amylase from Aspergillus oryzae in concentrated media

Abstract
The influence of concentrated maltotetraose solutions on fungal alpha‐amylase activity and specificity has been determined. It has been found that the enzyme is not inhibited by 500 g/L substrate concentration and that transglycosylation reactions are increased with rising substrate concentration. The amount of oligosaccharides of polymerization degree higher than maltotetraose reaches 20% (w/w). Moreover, the effect of polyhydric alcohols, known as water activity depressors has been analyzed: the presence of polyols does not modify the amount of transglycosylation products, but changes the hydrolysis pattern by favoring the formation of low polymerization degree oligosaccharides.