pH-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP OF THE α-AND β-AMYLASES OF RESTING AND GERMINATED BARLEY AND RAGI (ELEUSINE CORACANA)

Abstract

1. The presence of an a-amylase with optimum activity at pH 7.0 has been demonstrated in resting barley and ragi.
2. Resting ragi contains mainly a-amylase and a very low b-amylolytic activity.
3. The activity of the a-amylase (optimum pH 7.0) of resting barley is low, and is extracted by phosphate buffer pH 7.0 better than by water alone.
4. The a-amylases of resting barley and ragi have optimum activity  at pH 7.0, whereas the respective a-amylases of germinated grains show  maximum activity at pH .5 to 5.0.