The most widespread applications of α-amylases are in the starch industry, wich are used for starch hydrolysis in the starch liquefaction process that converts starch into fructose and glucose syrups (57). The enzymatic conversion of all starch includes: gelatinization, which involves the dissolution of starch granules, thereby forming a viscous suspension; liquefaction, which involves partial hydrolysis and loss in viscosity; and saccharification, involving the production of glucose and maltose via further hydrolysis (29, 64). Initially, the α-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was used but it has been replaced by the α-amylase of Bacillus stearothermophilus or Bacillus licheniformis (86). The enzymes from the Bacillus species are of special interest for large-scale biotechnological processes due to their remarkable thermostability and because efficient expression systems are available for these enzymes