Taylor and Francis Group, Chemical Engineering Communications, 11(198), p. 1339-1353, 2011
DOI: 10.1080/00986445.2011.560513
Full text: Download
Glucoamylase (γ-amylase, EC 3.2.1.3) from Aspergillus niger was used to hydrolyze the soluble sago starch to reducing sugars without any major pretreatment of the substrate. A 2 L stirred tank reactor was used for the hydrolysis. The effects of pH, temperature, agitation speed, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration on the reaction were investigated in order to maximize both the initial reaction velocity v and the final product yield Yp/s. A response surface methodology central composite design was used for the optimization. A maximum Yp/s of 0.58 g · g−1 and a high v of 0.50 mmoles · L−1 · min−1 were predicted by the response surface at the identified optimal conditions (61°C, a substrate concentration of 0.1% (w/v, g/100 mL), an enzyme concentration of 0.2 U · mL−1). The pH and agitation speed did not significantly affect the production of sugars. The subsequent validation experiments under the above-specified optimal conditions confirmed a maximum conversion rate and yield combination of 0.51 ± 0.07 mmoles · L−1 · min−1 and 0.60 ± 0.08 g · g−1.