Continuous extraction of α- and β-amylases from Zea mays malt in a PEG4000/CaCl2 ATPS

In the present work, α- and β-amylase enzymes from Zea mays malt were recovered by continuous extraction in a PEG/CaCl2 aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The influences of the flux rate (RQ), free area of vane (Afree) and vane rotation (RV) on enzyme recovery were studied by optimization using response surface methodology (RSM). The protein content and enzyme activity were measured from time to time in the extract and refined fluxes. RSM curves showed a squared dependence of recovery index with the RQ, Afree and RV. The best system for recovering the maize malt enzymes was with low vane rotation and flux rate and high free area of vane. α- and β-amylases were purified 130-fold in the salt-rich phase.