Kinetic study of enzymatic hydrolysis of potato starch

Abstract

This article describes the kinetic study of potato starch enzymatic hydrolysis using soluble enzymes (Novo Nordisk). Different assays divided into four groups were used: reaction time (with which it was possible to reduce the 48-72 hour duration reported in the literature to 16 hours with comparable productivity levels); selecting the set of enzymes to be used (different types were evaluated -BAN and Termamyl as alfa-amylases during dextrinization stage, and AMG, Promozyme and Fungamyl for sacarification reaction- identifying those presenting the best performance during hydrolysis). Reaction conditions were optimized for the process's two stages (dextrinization and sacarification). Enzyme dose, calcium cofactor concentration, pH, temperature and agitation speed were studied for the first stage. Enzyme ratio, pH and agitation speed were studied for sacarification; the latter parameter reported values having no antecedents in the literature (60 rpm and 30 rpm for first and second reactions, respectively). Michaelis Menten kinetics were calculated once conditions had been optimized, varying substrate from 10%-50% P/V, obtaining km and Vmax kinetic parameters for each reaction. A kinetic model was found according to local working conditions which was able to explain potato starch conversion to glucose syrup, achieving 96 dextrose equivalents by the end of the reaction, being well within the maximum range reported in the literature (94-98). Laboratory equipment was constructed prior to carrying out assays which was able to reproduce and improve the conditions reported in the literature, making it a useful, reliable tool for use in assays returning good results.