Hydrolysis of cassava starch by amylases from maize

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project focused on the hydrolysis of cassava starch using amylases extracted from maize. The study aimed to investigate the efficiency of maize amylases in breaking down cassava starch into simpler sugars. The process of hydrolysis was conducted under controlled conditions to observe the impact of enzyme concentration, pH, and temperature on the rate of starch conversion. Various analytical methods were employed to monitor the progress of hydrolysis, including reducing sugar assays and starch content measurements. The results of the study indicated that maize amylases were effective in catalyzing the hydrolysis of cassava starch. Higher enzyme concentrations led to an increased rate of starch conversion, highlighting the importance of enzyme dosage in the hydrolysis process. The optimal pH for amylase activity was found to be slightly acidic, with variations outside this range resulting in reduced efficiency. Temperature was also a critical factor influencing the hydrolysis rate, with an increase in temperature generally accelerating the process up to a certain point. Beyond the optimal temperature, enzyme denaturation occurred, leading to a decrease in hydrolysis efficiency. The study identified the temperature range within which maize amylases exhibited the highest activity on cassava starch, providing valuable insights for industrial applications. Moreover, the analysis of the hydrolysis products revealed the presence of glucose and maltose, indicating the successful breakdown of cassava starch into simpler sugars. The quantification of reducing sugars confirmed the extent of starch conversion by maize amylases. These findings contribute to the understanding of enzymatic hydrolysis processes and offer practical implications for the bioconversion of starch into valuable products. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of maize amylases as effective biocatalysts for the hydrolysis of cassava starch. The optimization of enzyme concentration, pH, and temperature parameters can enhance the efficiency of starch conversion, providing a sustainable approach for bio-based industries. Further studies could explore the application of maize amylases in large-scale starch hydrolysis processes and investigate their compatibility with other enzymatic systems for improved saccharification yields.