Interaction of beta-cyclodextrin with the granular starch binding domain of glucoamylase

The granular starch binding domain of glucoamylase 1 (EC 3.2.1.3 1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucohydrolase) binds two molecules of beta-cyclodextrin, with a dissociation constant (Kd) for the second ligand of 1.68 microM. The catalytic domain showed no interaction with beta-cyclodextrin. Beta-cyclodextrin competitively inhibited the adsorption of the binding domain onto granular starch with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 11.0 +/- 1.9 microM. The results show that beta-cyclodextrin binds to the binding domain of glucoamylase at the same site(s) as granular starch.     

Production of a novel raw-starch-digesting glucoamylase by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> sp. X-1 under solid state fermentation and its use in direct hydrolysis of raw starch

Penicillium sp. X−1, isolated from decayed raw corn, produced high level of raw-starch-digesting glucoamylase (RSDG) under solid state fermentation (SSF). Maximum enzyme yield of 306.2 U g⁻¹ dry mouldy bran (DMB) was obtained after 36 h of culture upon optimized production. The enzyme could hydrolyse both small and large granule starches but did not adsorb on raw starch. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 65°C and pH 6.5, which provided an opportunity of synergism with α-amylase. It significantly hydrolysed 15% (w/v) raw corn starch slurry in synergism with the commercial α-amylase and a degree of hydrolysis of 92.4% was obtained after 2 h of incubation.     

Raw starch fermentation to ethanol by an industrial distiller’s yeast strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> expressing glucoamylase and α-amylase genes

Industrial strains of a polyploid, distiller’s Saccharomyces cerevisiae that produces glucoamylase and α-amylase was used for the direct fermentation of raw starch to ethanol. Strains contained either Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase gene (GA1), Debaryomyces occidentalis glucoamylase gene (GAM1) or D. occidentalis α-amylase gene (AMY), singly or in combination, integrated into their chromosomes. The strain expressing both GA1 and AMY generated 10.3% (v/v) ethanol (80.9 g l⁻¹) from 20% (w/v) raw corn starch after 6 days of fermentation, and decreased the raw starch content to 21% of the initial concentration.     

Direct production of ethanol from raw corn starch via fermentation by use of a novel surface-engineered yeast strain codisplaying glucoamylase and alpha-amylase

Direct and efficient production of ethanol by fermentation from raw corn starch was achieved by using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae codisplaying Rhizopus oryzae glucoamylase and Streptococcus bovis alpha-amylase by using the C-terminal-half region of alpha-agglutinin and the flocculation functional domain of Flo1p as the respective anchor proteins. In 72-h fermentation, this strain produced 61.8 g of ethanol/liter, with 86.5% of theoretical yield from raw corn starch.     

Continuous enzymatic liquefaction of starch for saccharification

A process was explored for continuous enzymatic liquefaction of corn starch at high concentration and subsequently saccharification to glucose. The process appears to be quite efficient for conversion of starch to glucose and enzymatic liquefaction and should be readily adaptable to industrial fermentation processes. Preliminary work indicated that milled corn or other cereal grains also can be suitably converted by such a process. Essentially, the process involved incorporation of a thermostable, bacterial alpha-amylase for liquefaction and, subsequently, of a glucoamylase into the continuous mixer under conditions conductive to rapid enzymatic hydrolyses. Also studied was the effect on substrate liquefaction of variable such as starch concentration (40-70 degrees ), level of alpha-amylase (0.14-0.4%, dry starch basis), temperature (70-100 degrees C), pH (5.8-7.1), and residence time (6 and 12 min). The degree of liquefaction was assessed by determining (1) the Brookfield viscosity, (2) the amount of reducing groups, and (3) the rate and extent of glucose formed after glucoamylase treatment. Best liquefaction process conditions were achieved by using 50-60% starch concentration, at 95 degrees C, with 0.4% alpha-amylase, and a 6-min residence period in the mixture. Under these conditions, rate and extents of glucose obtained after glucoamylase treatment approached those obtained in longer laboratory batch liquefactions. The amount of glucose formed in 24h with the use of 0.4% glucoamylase was 86% of theory after a 6-min continuous liquefaction, compared to 90% for a 30-min laboratory batch liquefaction (95 degrees C, 0.4% alpha-amylase).     

Production of ethanol from starch by free and immobilized Candida tropicalis in the presence of alpha-amylase

Candida tropicalis is a potentially useful organism for the commercial production of ethanol as it is capable of fermenting starch at a low rate. To enhance this carbon source utilization and increase the rate of alcohol production, we pretreated corn soluble starch with alpha-amylase. Starch liquefaction was sufficient to drive the fermentation and to convert 96% substrate to ethanol. Indeed, in the presence of exogenous alpha-amylase, 9% (w/v) soluble starch was converted to 43.1g ethanol/l in 65 h with a productivity of 0.65 g/l h. Thus, bio-ethanol production using free and calcium alginate-immobilized C. tropicalis does not require the saccharification step. Furthermore, fed-batch fermentation by free C. tropicalis cells increased the final concentration to 56 g ethanol/l, reaching published values for Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinant strains expressing both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase.     

Secretion of alpha-amylase and multiple forms of glucoamylase by the yeast Trichosporon pullulans

Trichosporon pullulans IGC 3488 produced extracellular alpha-amylase and glucoamylase activities when grown in batches in a medium containing corn steep liquor and soluble starch or corn starch. alpha-Amylase, unlike glucoamylase activity, was secreted biphasically. For both amylases the maximum concentration was found in stationary phase cultures. The amylolytic enzymes, previously concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, were separated into a glucoamylase fraction and an alpha-amylase fraction by Ultrogel AcA 54 gel filtration. Pullulanase activity was located in the glucoamylase fraction, whereas cyclodextrinase activity was restricted to the alpha-amylase fraction. Isoamylase and alpha-glucosidase were not detected. Electrophoretic analysis showed that alpha-amylase activity was due to a single protein. Glucoamylase, however, occurred in multiple forms. The four glucoamylases and the alpha-amylase were glycoproteins.     

Characteristics of raw-starch-digesting glucoamylase from thermophilic Rhizomucor pusillus

A newly isolated thermophilic fungus, NH-139, identified as Rhizumucor pusillus (Lindt) Schipper produced only a single form of raw-starch-absorbable, raw-starch-digesting glucoamylase on solid wheat bran medium at 45°C. The electrophoretically homogenous preparation of glucoamylase, molecular weight 68,000, had its optimal temperature on gelatinized starch at 65°C and on raw corn starch at 50°C. However, this raw-starch-digesting glucoamylase, unlike other glucoamylases, could not completely hydrolyze glycogen but hydrolyzed it to the extent of 80% as glucose, and is classified as type B. The subtilisin-modified glucoamylase of this strain, molecular weight 60,000, still belonged to type B in the hydrolysis curve on glycogen and lost the ability to digest and adsorb onto raw starch.     

Production and Characteristics of Raw-Starch-Digesting alpha-Amylase from a Protease-Negative Aspergillus ficum Mutant

Mutational experiments were carried out to decrease the protease productivity of Aspergillus ficum IFO 4320 by using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A protease-negative mutant, M-33, exhibited higher alpha-amylaseactivity than the parent strain under submerged culture at 30 degrees C for 24 h. About 70% of the total alpha-amylase activity in the M-33 culture filtrate was adsorbed onto starch granules. The electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of raw-starch-adsorbable alpha-amylase (molecular weight, 88,000), acid stable at pH 2, showed intensive raw-starch-digesting activity, dissolving corn starch granules completely. The preparation also exhibited a high synergistic effect with glucoamylase I. A mutant, M-72, with higher protease activity produced a raw cornstarch-unadsorbable alpha-amylase. The purified enzyme (molecular weight, 54,000), acid unstable, showed no digesting activity on raw corn starch and a lower synergistic effect with glucoamylase I in the hydrolysis of raw corn starch. The fungal alpha-amylase was therefore divided into two types, a novel type of raw-starch-digesting enzyme and a conventional type of raw-starch-nondigesting enzyme.     

High-concentration alcoholic production from hydrolysate of raw ground corn by a tetraploid yeast strain

Summary The suitable conditions for high-concentration ethanol production from raw ground corn by a tetraploid yeast strain were examined. We found that the glucoamylase preparation which ia usually employed for alcoholic fermentation of cooked starch could effectively saccharify raw ground corn starch.     

Production and Characteristics of Raw-Starch-Digesting α-Amylase from a Protease-Negative Aspergillus ficum Mutant

Mutational experiments were carried out to decrease the protease productivity of Aspergillus ficum IFO 4320 by using N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A protease-negative mutant, M-33, exhibited higher α-amylaseactivity than the parent strain under submerged culture at 30°C for 24 h. About 70% of the total α-amylase activity in the M-33 culture filtrate was adsorbed onto starch granules. The electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of raw-starch-adsorbable α-amylase (molecular weight, 88,000), acid stable at pH 2, showed intensive raw-starch-digesting activity, dissolving corn starch granules completely. The preparation also exhibited a high synergistic effect with glucoamylase I. A mutant, M-72, with higher protease activity produced a raw cornstarch-unadsorbable α-amylase. The purified enzyme (molecular weight, 54,000), acid unstable, showed no digesting activity on raw corn starch and a lower synergistic effect with glucoamylase I in the hydrolysis of raw corn starch. The fungal α-amylase was therefore divided into two types, a novel type of raw-starch-digesting enzyme and a conventional type of raw-starch-nondigesting enzyme.     

Direct Production of Ethanol from Raw Corn Starch via Fermentation by Use of a Novel Surface-Engineered Yeast Strain Codisplaying Glucoamylase and α-Amylase

Direct and efficient production of ethanol by fermentation from raw corn starch was achieved by using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae codisplaying Rhizopus oryzae glucoamylase and Streptococcus bovis α-amylase by using the C-terminal-half region of α-agglutinin and the flocculation functional domain of Flo1p as the respective anchor proteins. In 72-h fermentation, this strain produced 61.8 g of ethanol/liter, with 86.5% of theoretical yield from raw corn starch.     

Three-dimensional structure of an intact glycoside hydrolase family 15 glucoamylase from Hypocrea jecorina

The three-dimensional structure of a complete Hypocrea jecorina glucoamylase has been determined at 1.8 A resolution. The presented structure model includes the catalytic and starch binding domains and traces the course of the 37-residue linker segment. While the structures of other fungal and yeast glucoamylase catalytic and starch binding domains have been determined separately, this is the first intact structure that allows visualization of the juxtaposition of the starch binding domain relative to the catalytic domain. The detailed interactions we see between the catalytic and starch binding domains are confirmed in a second independent structure determination of the enzyme in a second crystal form. This second structure model exhibits an identical conformation compared to the first structure model, which suggests that the H. jecorina glucoamylase structure we report is independent of crystal lattice contact restraints and represents the three-dimensional structure found in solution. The proposed starch binding regions for the starch binding domain are aligned with the catalytic domain in the three-dimensional structure in a manner that supports the hypothesis that the starch binding domain serves to target the glucoamylase at sites where the starch granular matrix is disrupted and where the enzyme might most effectively function.     

Itaconic acid production using sago starch hydrolysate by Aspergillus terreus TN484-M1

Sago starch was hydrolyzed using either chemical agents, or enzymes at various pH and concentrations. Hydrolysis using 5000 AUN/ml (0.5%, w/v) glucoamylase exhibited the highest itaconic acid yield up to 0.36 g/g sago starch, whereas hydrolysis using nitric acid at pH 2.0 yielded 0.35 g/g sago starch. The medium was optimized and the composition was (g/l) 140 sago starch, 1.8 corn steep liquor, 1.2 MgSO(4).7H(2)O and 2.9 NH(4)NO(3). When the optimal conditions of hydrolysis and medium composition were applied to itaconic acid production in a 3-l jar fermentor, the itaconic acid production was 48.2 g/l with a yield of 0.34 g/g sago starch. This was filtered from the cultured broth and 37.1g of itaconic acid was recovered with a purity of 97.2%. This result showed that sago starch could be converted to a value-added product with only a simple pretreatment.     

Characterization of an organic solvent‐tolerant thermostable glucoamylase from a halophilic isolate,Halolactibacillus sp. SK71 and its application in raw starch hydrolysis for bioethanol production

A halophilic bacterium Halolactibacillus sp. SK71 producing extracellular glucoamylase was isolated from saline soil of Yuncheng Salt Lake, China. Enzyme production was strongly influenced by the salinity of growth medium with maximum in the presence of 5% NaCl. The glucoamylase was purified to homogeneity with a molecular mass of 78.5 kDa. It showed broad substrate specificity and raw starch hydrolyzing activity. Analysis of hydrolysis products from soluble starch by thin‐layer chromatography revealed that glucose was the sole end‐product, indicating the enzyme was a true glucoamylase. Optimal enzyme activity was found to be at 70°C, pH 8.0, and 7.5% NaCl. In addition, it was highly active and stable over broad ranges of temperature (0–100°C), pH (7.0–12.0), and NaCl concentration (0–20%), showing excellent thermostable, alkali stable, and halotolerant properties. Furthermore, it displayed high stability in the presence of hydrophobic organic solvents. The purified glucoamylase was applied for raw corn starch hydrolysis and subsequent bioethanol production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yield in terms of grams of ethanol produced per gram of sugar consumed was 0.365 g/g, with 71.6% of theoretical yield from raw corn starch. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using enzymes from halophiles for further application in bioenergy production. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1262–1268, 2014     

Characterization of glucoamylase adsorption to raw starch

The adsorption of Aspergillus niger glucoamylase forms (GA-I and GA-II) to raw corn starch was studied as a function of pH, ionic strength, and temperature. A three-parameter model was developed to account for the specific and nonspecific adsorption of GA-I to starch. The adsorption of the GA-II form to raw starch was weak and independent of the pH and ionic strength of the mixture. GA-I was bound strongly to the starch surface, with association constant values ranging from 2 to 5 × 10⁶ M⁻¹. Maximum adsorption capacities (saturation concentrations) Q_max for GA-I were affected by pH, inonic strength, and temperature and varied between 1.6 and 4.3 mg protein g⁻¹ starch. The tightly bound GA-I could be specifically eluted from the starch surface with maltose, maltodextrin, or soluble starch. The adsorption of GA-II to starch in the presence of acarbose (glucoamylase activity inhibitor) indicated that the active site participates minimally in the adsorption process. The comparison of the distribution coefficients of GA-I and GA-II showed that the starch-binding domain, present only in GA-I, increases the affinity of GA-I for starch by two orders of magnitude.     

Ethanol production from raw starch by simultaneous fermentation using Schizosaccharomyces pombe and a raw starch saccharifying enzyme from Corticium rolfsii

Alcoholic fermentation from raw corn starch using Schizosaccharomyces pombe AHU 3179 and a raw starch saccharifying enzyme (RSSE) from Corticium rolfsii AHU 9627 was investigated. The optimum ethanol production was achieved at pH 3.5, 27°C and under the yeast cell concentration of 2.7 × 10⁹ cells/ml. Addition of RSSE 5 units (as glucoamylase)/g raw corn starch was found sufficient. Under these optimum conditions, 18.5% (v/v, at 15°C) ethanol was obtained from 30% raw corn starch (30.8% as glucose) after incubation for 48 h.     

拜氏梭菌Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052发酵玉米皮生产丁醇

玉米皮作为玉米淀粉加工的副产物,是一种可用于生产液体燃料的潜在廉价优质的生物质资源。本文以玉米皮为原料,对拜氏梭菌发酵生产丁醇进行了研究。实验结果表明,玉米皮首先在最优的预处理温度140℃下使用0.5%硫酸水溶液以固液比1∶8处理20 min,再添加200 IU/g底物糖化酶、1.0 IU/g底物木聚糖酶进行酶解,可以使原料中的淀粉和半纤维素转化为可发酵糖,此时水解液中的总糖浓度为50.46 g/L。然后使用1.0%的活性炭对水解液进行脱毒处理以去除发酵抑制物,再进行丁醇发酵,丁醇产量为9.72 g/L,总溶剂产量可达14.09 g/L,糖醇转化率为35.1%。上述研究结果证明玉米皮作为一种粮食加工废弃物用于液体燃料丁醇的生产在技术上是完全可行的。     

Ice Recrystallization Behavior of Corn Starch/Sucrose Solutions: Effects of Addition of Corn Starch and Antifreeze Protein III

Knowledge of the behavior of corn starch during frozen storage is necessary to understand more complex systems. In the present study, ice recrystallization in corn starch (0.3% and 3%, w/w)/sucrose (40%, w/w) solution was investigated at −10 °C based on the theory of Ostwald ripening. The addition of corn starch to the sucrose solution increased the ice recrystallization (IR) rate constant. To explore the mechanism causing higher IR rate constant, fluorescence microscopy was used to analyze the distribution of corn starch molecules. Fluorescence micrograph showed corn starch distributed homogenously in the freeze-concentrated phase. Ice crystal size distribution assessment showed that at the same average radius, the addition of corn starch increased the standard deviation of ice crystal size distribution. The findings revealed that the addition of corn starch widened the distribution of ice crystal size, which may be the mechanism causing higher IR rate constant. To inhibit the ice recrystallization process, antifreeze protein type III (AFP III) was added to sucrose solutions with and without corn starch. In the presence of corn starch, 0.01-mg/mL AFP III was enough to significantly reduce the IR rate. Conversely, the samples without corn starch did not show a significant reduction in IR rate constant at the same AFP III concentration. The outcomes revealed that corn starch enhanced the activity of AFP III. The results of this study showed that corn starch increased the IR rate constant, and AFP III supplemented with corn starch was synergistically more efficient in retarding IR rate constant.

     

Cultural conditions for production of glucoamylase from Lactobacillus amylovorus ATCC 33621

Lactobacillus amylovorus ATCC 33621 is an actively amylolytic bacterial strain which produces a cell-bound glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3). Conditions of growth and glucoamylase production were investigated using dextrose-free de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) medium in a 1.5 I fermenter, with varying dextrin concentration (0.1–1.5% (w/v)), pH (4.5–6.5) and temperature (25–55°C). Cell extracts were prepared by subjecting cells to treatment with a French Pressure cell in order to release intracellular proteins. Glucoamylase activity was then assayed. The effects of pH (4.0–9.0), temperature (15–85°C) and substrate (dextrin and starch, 0–2% w/v) concentration on crude enzyme activity were investigated. Optimal growth was obtained in MRS medium containing 1% (w/v) dextrin, at pH 5.5 and 37°C. Glucoamylase production was maximal at the late logarithmic phase of growth, during 16–18 h. Crude enzyme had a pH optimum of 6.0 and temperature optimum of 60°C. With starch as the substrate, maximal activity was obtained at a concentration of 1.5% (w/v). The effects of ions and inhibitors on glucoamylase activity were also investigated. Enzyme activity was not significantly influenced by Ca²⁺ and EDTA at 1 mmol 1⁻¹ concentration; however Pb²⁺ and Co²⁺ were found to inhibit the activity at concentrations of 1 mmol 1⁻¹. The crude enzyme was found to be thermolabile when glucoamylase activity decreased after about 10 min exposure at 60°C. This property can be exploited in the brewing of low calorie beers where only mild pasteurization treatments are used to inactivate enzymes. The elimination of residual enzyme effect would prevent further maltodextrin degradation and sweetening during long-term storage, thus helping to stabilize the flavour of beer.