Amylases of the thermophilic fungusThermomyces lanuginosus: Their purification,properties, action on starch and response to heat

A thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginous strain IISc 91, secreted one form each of α-amylase and glucoamylase during growth. Both enzymes were purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography and obtained in mg quantities. α-Amylase was considered to be a dimeric protein of ∼ 42 kDa and contained 5% (by mass) carbohydrate. It was maximally active at pH 5.6 and at 65°C. It had an activation energy of 44 kJ mol^-1. The apparent K_m for soluble starch was 2.5 mg ml^-1. The enzyme produced exceptionally high levels of maltose from raw potato starch. At 50°C, the enzyme was stable for > 7h. At 65°C, α-amylase was nearly 8-times more stable in the presence of calcium. Addition of calcium increaed the melting temperature of α-amylase from 66°C to 73°C. Upon incubation at 94°C, α-amylase was progressively and irreversibly inactivated, and converted into an inactive 72 kDa trimeric species. Glucoamylase was a monomeric glycoprotein of ∼ 45 kDa with a carbohydrate content of 11% (by mass). It effected up to 76% conversion of starch in 24 h producing glucose as the sole product. Its apparent K_m for soluble starch was 0.04 mg ml^-1 and V_max was 660 Mmol glucose min^-1 mg protein^-1. It also hydrolyzed maltose. Its activity on maltooligosaccharides increased with the chain length of the substrates. Glucoamylase was stable at 60°C for over 7h. Its activation energy was 61 kJ mol^-1 Glucoamylase did not show synergistic effect with α-amylase. The properties of α-amylase and glucoamylase of Thermomyces lanuginosus strain IISc 91 suggest their usefulness in the commercial production of maltose and glucose syrups.