Comparison of α-amylase activities from different assay methods

alpha -Amylase enzymes (1,4- alpha -D-glucanohydrolase, E.C.3.2.1.1) catalyze the hydrolysis of alpha -1,4 glucosidic linkages in polysaccharides of three or more alpha -1, 4-linked D-glucose units to produce maltose and larger oligosaccharides. The objective of this communication is to provide a simple relationship among alpha -amylase activities, which allows comparison of the enzyme activities in the literature. Even though the assay methods and definitions of an enzyme unit are different, enzyme activities can be correlated as a function of incubation temperature, incubation time, dilution factor, and measurement methods. This result will be useful in finding a microorganism or culture conditions which give the highest enzyme activity.