Author
Henson, Cynthia |
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The identities of the enzymes involved in degradation of seed starch are well established, as are the characteristics of the individual enzymes. However, the interactions between the different enzymes as they function together to hydrolyze starch are not well understood. The development of reconstituted starch hydrolyzing systems, the use of mutant seeds and seeds germinated in the presence of inhibitors specific for only on starch degrading enzyme, and the use of mathematical and statistical analyses have allowed us to better understand the roles of the enzymes as they function independently and as they function together to degrade starch. Such studies have identified a significant interaction between alpha- amylase and alpha-glucosidase in germinating cereal seeds. The relative importance of this interaction and the relative importance of the independent contributions of each enzyme are influenced by whether or not the crystalline structure of starch was disrupted. These interactions between enzymes and the resulting products of starch breakdown will be discussed. |