Αlpha-amylase obtained from
thermo-resistant bacteria like
Bacillus licheniformis, engineered strains of Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis is used during the first step of hydrolysis of
starch suspensions. For amylases to attack starch, these suspensions should be brought to high
temperatures (90 – 110oC) for the breakdown of
starch kernels. Apar and Ozbek (2004) provide
information about the effects of operating
conditions on the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn
starch using commercial α-amylase.