Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) is an important member of α-amylase family which can degrade the starch and produce cyclodextrins (CDs) as a result of intramolecular transglycosylation (cyclization). β-Cyclodextrin production was carried out using the purified CGTase enzyme from an alkaliphile Microbacterium terrae KNR 9 with different starches in raw as well as gelatinize...

Storage roots of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a major subsistence crop of sub-Saharan Africa, are calorie rich but deficient in essential micronutrients, including provitamin A β-carotene. In this study, β-carotene concentrations in cassava storage roots were enhanced by co-expression of transgenes for deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) and bacterial phytoene synthase (crtB), me...

Molecular markers are needed for enhancing the development of elite sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivars with a wide range of commercially important traits in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to estimate the heritability and determine trait correlations of storage root yield, dry matter, starch and β-carotene content in a cross between 'New Kawogo' × 'Beauregard'. The st...

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides composed of α-d-glucose units linked by α-(1,4)-glucosidic bonds. α-CD, β-CD and γ-CD contain 6, 7 or 8 d-glucose units, respectively. CDs can bind to the active site pancreatic α-amylase competitively inhibit enzyme. Adding 0.100 mg CD/mg native wheat starch substantially reduces in vitro activity is a more potent inhibitor than α-CD γ-CD. 0.025,...

β-Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (β-CGTase) belongs to the α-amylase family of enzymes and converts starch to cyclic oligosaccharides called β-cyclodextrins (β-CD). The β-CGTase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. N-227 was separately mutagenized to give three site-directed β-CGTase mutants, Y127F, R254F and D355R, that showed enhanced cyclization activity towards a starch substrate from 1.64 to 2...

UNLABELLED The probability of atherosclerotic plaque rupture and its thrombotic sequelae are thought to be increased at sites of macrophage accumulation. Folate receptor β (FR-β) is present on activated macrophages but not on quiescent macrophages or other immune cells. By conjugating the ligand folate with a fluorescent contrast agent, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), we aimed to explore the...

The aim of this study was to prepare fast-dissolving tablets of meloxicam after its complexation with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and to investigate the effect of using different superdisintegrants on the disintegration and release of meloxicam from the tablets. A complex of meloxicam with β-CD was prepared by spray drying and then compressed in the form of tablets utilizing the direct compression te...

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds do not contain starch as carbohydrate reserve. Synthesis of starch is initiated after germination. A β-amylase from ungerminated fenugreek seeds was purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity. The enzyme was purified 210 fold with specific activity of 732.59 units/mg. Mr of the denatured enzyme as determined from SDS-PAGE was 58 kD while that of...

Potato starch waste, a chips industry effluent, was used for the production of industrially important enzymes by an amylolytic strain of lactic acid bacteria, isolated from pickled yam & identified as Lactococcus lactis. The strain was observed to co-produce α-amylase and β-galactosidase. Potato starch waste was efficiently utilized (91.6%) along with high co-production of α-amylase and β-galac...

Zeins were isolated from corn ethanol coproduct distiller's dried grains (DDG) and fractionated into α- and β γ-rich fractions. The effects of the ethanol production process, such as fermentation type, protease addition, and DDG drying temperature on zein recovery, were evaluated. Yield, purity, and molecular properties of recovered zein fractions were determined and compared with zein isolated...