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Alpha-Amylase Activity

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Alpha-Amylase activity varied considerable from our initial hypothesis. In regards to temperature our data shows that optimal maltose production occurs at higher temperatures, while lower temperatures show a decrease in production. Specifically, the data shows that the optimal temperature appears to be at 100⁰C or at least in between 65⁰C and 100⁰C. This trend is seen for all three amylase samples. Results from other experiments using A. oryzae, B.licheniformis, porcine alpha-amylase show slightly different results. B. Licheniformis activity has been shown to be optimal at 37 ⁰C (Dibu, 2002). Aspergillus oryzae has also shown to be at its optimal activity at a temperature of 35⁰C (Ragunathan, 2005). Finally, the porcine alpha-amylase results we gathered shows that the optimal temperature is at 65⁰C, which is confirmed by studies …show more content…

These results suggest that a major source or sources of error occurred during the lab. Until additional runs of this lab are carried out the source of error remains ambiguous. However, while we cannot specifically point out the source of error, clearly major sources of error could include poor sample preparation, issues related to the spectrophotometer, or possibly inadequate enzyme samples due to age or contamination. Maltose production varied considerably more in regards to changes in pH. Acidic conditions at pH 5 showed a significant amount of maltose production for all three samples. As pH increased it affected each sample differently. Sample A showed a linear decrease in maltose production as the pH became more basic. However, at pH 9 there was an increase in maltose production, however production was still less then production at pH 5. These results are supported

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