α-amylase: Termamyl Ultra
Termamyl® Ultra is a liquid enzyme preparation containing α-amylase for use in detergent products.
SOURCE
Termamyl® Ultra is produced by submerged fermentation of a selected strain of Bacillus licheniformis. After fermentation, the enzyme is separated from the production organism and purified.
COMMERCIAL USES
Termamyl® Ultra is used in detergent formulations to remove starch-based stains, e.g., from pasta, gravy and baby food. Gelatinised starch tends to stick on the surface of textiles where it acts as a glue, sticking other substances to the fabric.
EDUCATIONAL USES
Amylase activity can be monitored in several different ways in the classroom. The classic method is to use iodine in potassium iodide solution, giving a blue/black coloured complex in the presence of starch, but a simple quantitative method is to cast starch agar in the base of a clean Petri dish, then to cut wells in the set agar using a cork borer. The amylase solution should be added to the wells, then the Petri dish should be covered and incubated overnight. The next day the diameter of the well can be measured measured, giving an indication of the action of the enzyme.
If the enzyme-enlarged wells are not circular, it may help to measure their diameters twice, at right angles to each other and to calculate the average diameter.
Starch agar can be made as follows. Make a paste containing 1 g of soluble starch in 10 mL of hot water. Add 1.5 g of agar, stir well, and slowly add more water with stirring until the volume is 100 mL. Heat in a boiling water bath to 95 °C in the required container.
ACTIVITY
Termamyl® Ultra degrades gelatinized (cooked) starch to dextrins and oligosaccharides. The enzyme is thermostable and works well at temperatures between 30 and 100 °C and between pH 7–11. Note: Animal α-amylases (but NOT microbial ones such as Termamyl®) require chloride ions to activate them.
STORAGE
Termamyl® Ultra should be stored in a fridge at 3–5 °C. Do not freeze.
SAFETY
DANGER. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. See Safety Data Sheet for further advice.
SAFETY DATA SHEET
ORDERING
All of the prices on this page are in GBP and do not include Value Added Tax (VAT). This tax applies within the European Union only. Postage and handling must also be paid on orders from outside the United Kingdom. Details of how to order are given on the price list and on the Ordering web page.
Please note: We are unable to supply this product to addresses in the United States of America.
PLEASE NOTE
THE NCBE SUPPLIES THESE ENZYMES TO SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY. COMMERCIAL USERS OF ENZYMES OR THOSE WHO REQUIRE ENZYMES FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES SHOULD CONTACT THE ENZYME MANUFACTURERS OR OTHER SUPPLIERS, NOT THE NCBE.