Arabian Sea metagenome derived - α-amylase P109 and its potential applications

Considering the ever increasing demand for enzymes with improved properties for industrial application, an α-amylase P109 derived from marine metagenomic library of Arabian Sea sediments was tested for its applicability as feed supplement and desizing agent. The physico-chemical properties of the enzyme were analyzed. Its isoelectric point was 6.9, while its purity was confirmed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis also. The ionic detergents tested were more inhibitory on activity of P109 than the non-ionic detergents. Furthermore, oxidizing and reducing agents like hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and β-mercaptoethanol did not have a profound inhibitory effect on P109 activity. Apart from stability in the presence of oxidizing and reducing agents, the enzyme could tolerate the presence of solvents. It was also proved that P109 could efficiently desize cloth, and at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μg/mL did not exhibit cytotoxicity in L929 murine fibroblast cells indicating that it had properties suitable for industrial applications, particularly in textile and food industries.