α-Amylase Activity Assay Kit

Amylase belongs to the family of glycoside hydrolase enzymes that break down starch into glucose molecules by acting on α-1,4- glycosidic bonds. The α-amylases cleave at random locations on the starch chain, ultimately yielding maltotriose and maltose, glucose and "limit dextrin" from amylose and amylopectin. In mammals, α-amylase is a major digestive enzyme. Increased enzyme levels in humans are associated with salivary trauma, mumps due to inflammation of the salivary glands, pancreatitis, and renal failure.

The kit is suitable for the determination of α-amylase activity in blood, saliva, urine, grains, and other agricultural samples.

Simple, direct, and automation-ready procedures for measuring amylase activity are very desirable. The α-Amylase Activity Assay Kit method involves two steps. First, α -amylase in the sample hydrolyses starch and the product is rapidly converted to glucose by α-glucosidase and hydrogen peroxide by glucose oxidase. Next, the hydrogen peroxide concentration is determined with a colorimetric reagent at 585 nm.