What is Alpha-amylase 3000 in the US?

Alpha-Amylase 3000: What It Is and Its Applications

Alpha-amylase 3000 is a digestive enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of α-1,4-glucosidic bonds in starch and related α-glucans, with the "3000" designation likely referring to its specific activity level or formulation strength used in industrial or medical applications. 1, 2

Biochemical Properties and Function

• Alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) is a calcium metalloenzyme that breaks down polysaccharides into smaller molecules like glucose and maltose 3
• It has an optimal pH of 7.0 and requires halide ions (particularly chloride) for optimal activity 4
• The enzyme is stable over a wide pH range (5.0-10.5) and can be activated by calcium and magnesium at specific concentrations 4

Medical and Clinical Applications

• In glycogen storage disease type I management, alpha-amylase is essential for the digestion of raw cornstarch, which is used as a treatment to maintain stable blood glucose levels 5
• Alpha-amylase is a molecular target for diabetes treatment, as inhibiting this enzyme can help control postprandial hyperglycemia 3
• When measuring pancreatic function, alpha-amylase levels are often evaluated alongside lipase, with lipase being more specific and having a longer diagnostic window (8-14 days vs. 3-7 days for amylase) 6, 7

Industrial Applications

• Alpha-amylase 3000 is extensively used in various industries including: 2
  • Starch conversion processes
  • Food industry applications
  • Detergent formulations
  • Paper manufacturing
  • Textile processing
  • Fuel alcohol production

Research Applications

• In food digestion research, alpha-amylase activity can be inhibited by:
  • 12% trichloroacetic acid precipitation 5
  • Heat inactivation (100°C for at least 4 minutes) 5
  • pH adjustment (increasing pH to 7.5 halts pepsin but not trypsin activity) 5

Important Considerations

• Alpha-amylase is present in multiple glycoside hydrolase families (primarily GH13, but also in GH57 and potentially GH119 and GH126) 1
• The enzyme employs a retaining reaction mechanism and shares 4-7 conserved sequence regions in family GH13 1
• Production of alpha-amylase can be enhanced using recombinant DNA technology, optimized fermentation methods, and appropriate carbon and nitrogen sources 2

Measurement and Activity Assessment

• Various methods are used to measure alpha-amylase activity, including iodine, DNS (dinitrosalicylic acid), NS (Nelson-Somogyi), and dextrinizing methods 2
• Activity can be optimized by adjusting temperature, pH, and metal ion concentrations (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+) 2

Alpha-amylase 3000 represents a specific formulation or activity level of this important enzyme that has widespread applications across medical, research, and industrial fields.