Immobilization of Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense) ?-amylase

Alpha amylase (1, 4--D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) from germinating little millet seeds purified to homogeneity was entrapped in 2 % calcium alginate beads and gave immobilization yield of 65 %. It was observed that entrapment of -amylase was not affected by pH. Temperature optima of immobilized enzyme was higher compared to free enzyme. The enzyme on immobilization showed an apparent Km of 2.810-3g/ml. Immobilized enzyme showed the highest operational stability for upto 7 reuses by retaining 72.5 % of residual activity.