Some Properties of Amylase Inhibitor Produced by Streptomyces sp. No. 280

A strain of Streptomyces produces a new substance capable of inactivating some amylases. This has not been reported by previous workers.

This amylase inhibitor was purified by means of acetone treatment, active carbon adsorption and column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose.

It was dialyzable through a cellophane membrane and soluble in water and methyl alcohol. The inhibitor had a small molecular weight and was a peptide-like substance. The inhibiting substance was resistant to the temperatures, and acted as inhibitor of glucoamylase, bacterial saccharogenic α-amylase, salivary and pancreatic α-amylases.