# Amylases

Amylases convert starch into shorter carbohydrates. Alpha-amylase opens starch chains and thins starch-rich mixtures; beta-amylase releases maltose; glucoamylase releases glucose. The preparation and food matrix determine how those reactions serve bread, beverages, brewing and sweet potato cooking. Malt and rice koji contribute whole ingredients alongside their enzymes.

Enzyme activities, starch conversion and culinary applications.

| Enzyme preparation and activity | Starch action | Culinary use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fungal baking alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.1; Fungamyl is a formulated example. | Cuts internal α-1,4 starch links, producing shorter chains and dextrins. | Flour correction in yeast bread. Novonesis offers Fungamyl for additional starch conversion in dough. |
| Bacterial baking alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.1; BAN is a formulated example. | Cuts internal starch chains into shorter carbohydrates. | Novonesis offers BAN for bread softness. |
| Thermostable alpha-amylase for hot starch slurries — LE399 in Liquozyme X. | Converts starch into soluble dextrins and oligosaccharides during hot liquefaction. | Hot starch liquefaction in starch-sweetener manufacture and brewing. |
| Vertera Liquify — Novonesis liquid endo-alpha-amylase range. | Cuts internal starch chains to support liquefaction. | Novonesis specifies oat-beverage viscosity reduction, fluid processing and mouthfeel adjustment. |
| Modernist Pantry Amylase — liquid glucoamylase, also called amyloglucosidase or gamma-amylase; EC 3.2.1.3. | Releases glucose successively from non-reducing starch-chain ends. Many forms also cleave certain α-1,6 links. | Modernist Pantry describes use in starchy liquids and baking, including clarification with a centrifuge and reduction of grittiness. |
| White Labs Ultra-Ferm — WLE4100 liquid amyloglucosidase from Aspergillus niger. | Releases fermentable glucose from starch-derived dextrins. | Brewing and distilling. White Labs offers the preparation for drier beer, where yeast consumes the released glucose. |
| Soy beta-amylase preparation — EC 3.2.1.2; NAGASE BETA-AMYLASE #1500S is a soybean-derived powder. | Releases successive maltose units from non-reducing ends of α-1,4-linked chains. | NAGASE specifies high-maltose syrup production and plant-beverage applications. |
| Maltogenic alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.133; Novamyl 3D is a formulated example. | Releases alpha-maltose from chain ends. Suitable preparations modify amylopectin side chains. | Bread crumb firming control. Goesaert and colleagues linked the tested maltogenic enzyme to less starch recrystallization and softer, resilient crumb. |
| Active barley malt — malted cereal carrying alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and other starch-converting activities. | Alpha-amylase opens chains; beta-amylase releases maltose; limit dextrinase helps remove branch obstacles. | Malt mashes for fermentable wort, where sugar composition and soluble extract shape the result. |
| Diastatic malt flour or powder — malted grain retaining starch-converting enzyme activity. | Contributes starch-converting activity, grain solids and pre-existing sugars. | Yeast bread formulations. Hrušková and colleagues found flour-dependent changes in proofing and bread volume. |
| Sweet potato’s native beta-amylase — enzyme naturally present in the storage root. | Produces maltose as heating makes starch accessible while active enzyme persists. | Sweetness development during sweet potato cooking. Nakamura and colleagues connected maltose generation in steamed roots with cultivar enzyme activity and starch pasting behavior. |
| Rice koji — cultivated rice carrying Aspergillus oryzae enzymes and rice solids. | Alpha-amylase and glucoamylase contribute to starch conversion; additional activities shape the sugar mixture. | Koji amazake and related rice saccharification. |

## Enzyme preparations

Commercial products and preparation classes for specific starch-processing tasks.

### Fungal baking alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.1; Fungamyl is a formulated example.

Starch action: Cuts internal α-1,4 starch links, producing shorter chains and dextrins.

Culinary use: Flour correction in yeast bread. Novonesis offers Fungamyl for additional starch conversion in dough.

Bread texture: In Barrera and colleagues’ high-damaged-starch wheat bread, increasing alpha-amylase eventually reduced loaf volume and increased crumb firmness. Alpha-amylase–amyloglucosidase combinations gave a different response in that formulation.

Preparation and baking: Rebholz and colleagues compared three Aspergillus oryzae preparations in model wheat bread. The preparations produced different sugar profiles, and the bake eliminated detectable alpha-amylase activity in all three.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [Novonesis: Fungamyl product identity and applications](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/affordability-and-flexibility/flour-correction/fungamyl); [Barrera et al.: alpha-amylase and amyloglucosidase in wheat bread](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-016-2337-2); [Rebholz et al.: baking preparations and residual activity](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-020-03657-y)

### Bacterial baking alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.1; BAN is a formulated example.

Starch action: Cuts internal starch chains into shorter carbohydrates.

Culinary use: Novonesis offers BAN for bread softness.

Starch conversion after baking: In Rebholz and colleagues’ model wheat bread, a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens preparation retained activity after baking and generated additional oligosaccharides during storage. The bake eliminated detectable residual activity in the Thermoactinomyces vulgaris preparation.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [Rebholz et al.: baking preparations and residual activity](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-020-03657-y); [Novonesis: BAN product identity and applications](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/sensory-experience/freshness/ban)

### Thermostable alpha-amylase for hot starch slurries — LE399 in Liquozyme X.

Starch action: Converts starch into soluble dextrins and oligosaccharides during hot liquefaction.

Culinary use: Hot starch liquefaction in starch-sweetener manufacture and brewing.

Liquefaction sequence: FAO/JECFA’s 2004 assessment describes Bacillus licheniformis production of LE399 for Liquozyme X. The preparation performs the initial liquefaction step; subsequent enzymes convert the shorter carbohydrates to glucose.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [FAO/JECFA: LE399 alpha-amylase and Liquozyme X](https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agns/pdf/jecfa/cta/61/alphaamylase.pdf)

### Vertera Liquify — Novonesis liquid endo-alpha-amylase range.

Starch action: Cuts internal starch chains to support liquefaction.

Culinary use: Novonesis specifies oat-beverage viscosity reduction, fluid processing and mouthfeel adjustment.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [Novonesis: Vertera Liquify product identity and applications](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/plant-based-foods/plant-based-drinks/vertera-liquify-range)

### Modernist Pantry Amylase — liquid glucoamylase, also called amyloglucosidase or gamma-amylase; EC 3.2.1.3.

Starch action: Releases glucose successively from non-reducing starch-chain ends. Many forms also cleave certain α-1,6 links.

Culinary use: Modernist Pantry describes use in starchy liquids and baking, including clarification with a centrifuge and reduction of grittiness.

Enzyme identity: The Amylase product declares glucoamylase. This glucose-releasing activity has EC identity 3.2.1.3; alpha-glucosidase has EC identity 3.2.1.20.

Sources: [IUBMB: glucoamylase and its aliases](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/3.html); [Modernist Pantry: Amylase ingredient declaration](https://modernistpantry.com/products/amylase.html)

### White Labs Ultra-Ferm — WLE4100 liquid amyloglucosidase from Aspergillus niger.

Starch action: Releases fermentable glucose from starch-derived dextrins.

Culinary use: Brewing and distilling. White Labs offers the preparation for drier beer, where yeast consumes the released glucose.

Fermentation: Glucose generation increases the sugar available to yeast. Starch conversion and the subsequent fermentation together determine the final residual sweetness.

Sources: [IUBMB: glucoamylase and its aliases](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/3.html); [White Labs: Ultra-Ferm product and brewing directions](https://www.whitelabs.com/enzymes-nutrients-detail?id=9&type=ENZYMENUTRIENT); [White Labs: Ultra-Ferm technical sheet, revision 01.22](https://4099054.app.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?_xt=.pdf&c=4099054&h=BcNniXnBldiEFl2rShqNhDZFa0_ec4QxD0IMtVsdr45_a-fK&id=10920487)

### Soy beta-amylase preparation — EC 3.2.1.2; NAGASE BETA-AMYLASE #1500S is a soybean-derived powder.

Starch action: Releases successive maltose units from non-reducing ends of α-1,4-linked chains.

Culinary use: NAGASE specifies high-maltose syrup production and plant-beverage applications.

Branching and sugar yield: Beta-amylase releases maltose along accessible starch chains. Branch points interrupt its progress; debranching enzymes can open additional chains to conversion.

Sources: [IUBMB: beta-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/2.html); [NAGASE: BETA-AMYLASE #1500S product specification](https://www.nagase.com/products/enzymes/beta_amylase_1500s); [IUBMB: limit dextrinase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/142.html)

### Maltogenic alpha-amylase — EC 3.2.1.133; Novamyl 3D is a formulated example.

Starch action: Releases alpha-maltose from chain ends. Suitable preparations modify amylopectin side chains.

Culinary use: Bread crumb firming control. Goesaert and colleagues linked the tested maltogenic enzyme to less starch recrystallization and softer, resilient crumb.

Delivery and storage: In Haghighat-Kharazi and colleagues’ rice–chickpea gluten-free bread, beeswax-encapsulated research enzyme gave softer crumb after two days but the highest hardness after four days. Free and encapsulated enzyme followed different texture trajectories.

Activity by preparation: Novamyl 3D declares maltogenic alpha-amylase; Novamyl BestBite declares amyloglucosidase. These preparations supply different starch-converting activities.

Sources: [IUBMB: maltogenic alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/133.html); [Goesaert et al.: starch structure and crumb firming](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19239186/); [Haghighat-Kharazi et al.: free and encapsulated maltogenic enzyme](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.1865); [Novonesis: Novamyl 3D product identity](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/sensory-experience/freshness/novamyl-3d); [Novonesis: Novamyl BestBite activity declaration](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/sensory-experience/freshness/novamyl-bestbite)

## Ingredients carrying enzyme activity

Malt, roots and cultivated rice contribute their own food matrix alongside starch-converting activity.

### Active barley malt — malted cereal carrying alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and other starch-converting activities.

Starch action: Alpha-amylase opens chains; beta-amylase releases maltose; limit dextrinase helps remove branch obstacles.

Culinary use: Malt mashes for fermentable wort, where sugar composition and soluble extract shape the result.

Mashing interaction: In Stenholm’s malt mashes, added debranching enzymes increased maltose and maltotriose while glucose concentration showed no increase. Whole malt contributes grain constituents alongside multiple enzyme activities.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [IUBMB: beta-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/2.html); [IUBMB: limit dextrinase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/142.html); [Stenholm: malt enzymes, branched dextrins and fermentable sugars](https://cris.vtt.fi/en/publications/malt-limit-dextrinase-and-its-importance-in-brewing-dissertation/)

### Diastatic malt flour or powder — malted grain retaining starch-converting enzyme activity.

Starch action: Contributes starch-converting activity, grain solids and pre-existing sugars.

Culinary use: Yeast bread formulations. Hrušková and colleagues found flour-dependent changes in proofing and bread volume.

Malt addition and texture: Honců and colleagues compared barley malt additions and roasting treatments in wheat rolls. Higher additions caused stickier dough and sticky crumb during chewing.

Ingredient composition: King Arthur Diastatic Malt Powder contains unbleached wheat flour with enzyme, malted barley flour and cane sugar; its label declares wheat. Non-diastatic malt supplies malt flavor and color with no active enzyme contribution.

Sources: [Hrušková et al.: flour-dependent response to malt flour](https://cjfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/cjf-200306-0003_effect-of-malt-flour-addition-on-the-rheological-properties-of-wheat-fermented-dough.php); [Honců et al.: malt flour, roasting and bread texture](https://www.worldwidejournals.com/paripex/recent_issues_pdf/2015/September/the-effect-of-addition-of-malt-flour-on-the-dough-volume-and-sensory-properties-of-bread_September_2015_7062673711_1205728.pdf); [King Arthur: Diastatic Malt Powder ingredient label](https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/content/packaging/200244_2.pdf); [King Arthur: diastatic malt and baking guidance](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2022/03/14/difference-between-diastatic-malt-non-diastatic-malt-barley-malt-syrup)

### Sweet potato’s native beta-amylase — enzyme naturally present in the storage root.

Starch action: Produces maltose as heating makes starch accessible while active enzyme persists.

Culinary use: Sweetness development during sweet potato cooking. Nakamura and colleagues connected maltose generation in steamed roots with cultivar enzyme activity and starch pasting behavior.

Starch and cooking texture: In Nakamura and colleagues’ steamed-root studies, maltose formation reached a plateau as enzyme activity increased; lower starch pasting temperatures also favored maltose generation. The amount of unsaccharified starch contributed to the cooked root’s texture.

Sources: [IUBMB: beta-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/2.html); [Nakamura et al. (2018): review of maltose formation in steamed sweet potato](https://www.jircas.go.jp/sites/default/files/publication/jarq/52-01-02_007-016_NAKAMURA.pdf); [Nakamura et al. (2014): primary study of maltose generation in steamed roots](https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/nskkk/61/12/61_577/_article); [Nakamura et al. (2017): primary study of starch and steamed-root texture](https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/nskkk/64/2/64_59/_article/-char/en)

### Rice koji — cultivated rice carrying Aspergillus oryzae enzymes and rice solids.

Starch action: Alpha-amylase and glucoamylase contribute to starch conversion; additional activities shape the sugar mixture.

Culinary use: Koji amazake and related rice saccharification.

Cultivation and sugars: Murakami and colleagues changed koji cultivation and saccharification conditions and measured different glucose, maltose and isomaltose profiles. Earlier-harvest koji produced less glucose and more maltose under their saccharification conditions.

Ingredient form: Finished rice koji supplies cultivated rice and its enzymes. Starter spores inoculate rice for koji cultivation; salty koji condiments also contribute salt and their other ingredients.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [IUBMB: glucoamylase and its aliases](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/3.html); [Murakami et al.: koji cultivation and amazake sugar composition](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489912/full)

## Starch conversion and enzyme handling

Alpha-amylase makes internal α-1,4 cuts; beta-amylase releases maltose from chain ends; glucoamylase releases glucose. Glucoamylase, amyloglucosidase and gamma-amylase are aliases. Maltogenic alpha-amylase has its own EC identity and bread applications.

Sources: [IUBMB: alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/1.html); [IUBMB: beta-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/2.html); [IUBMB: glucoamylase and its aliases](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/3.html); [IUBMB: maltogenic alpha-amylase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/133.html)

Debranching enzymes act on α-1,6 junctions in branched carbohydrates. Malt limit dextrinase, EC 3.2.1.142, and pullulanase, EC 3.2.1.41, have distinct substrate behavior. In malt mashes, debranching can change the fermentable sugar mixture. Many glucoamylase forms also cleave certain α-1,6 links.

Sources: [IUBMB: limit dextrinase reaction](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/142.html); [SIB ENZYME: pullulanase reaction and distinction](https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/3.2.1.41); [Stenholm: malt enzymes, branched dextrins and fermentable sugars](https://cris.vtt.fi/en/publications/malt-limit-dextrinase-and-its-importance-in-brewing-dissertation/); [IUBMB: glucoamylase and its aliases](https://iubmb.qmul.ac.uk/enzyme/EC3/2/1/3.html)

Enzyme blends combine activities for a food process. Novonesis declares Attenuzyme Pro as glucoamylase plus pullulanase. Product mass measures the whole preparation; activity units measure enzyme action under specified assay conditions. Use preparation-specific directions for dosing.

Sources: [Novonesis: Attenuzyme Pro enzyme blend declaration](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/beverages/beer/attenuation/attenuzyme-pro); [NAGASE: BETA-AMYLASE #1500S product specification](https://www.nagase.com/products/enzymes/beta_amylase_1500s); [King Arthur: Diastatic Malt Powder ingredient label](https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/content/packaging/200244_2.pdf)

Concentrated enzyme dust and aerosols can cause sensitization through repeated inhalation. Follow the preparation’s handling instructions and control airborne dust and spray during weighing, mixing and transfer.

Sources: [Novonesis: BAN product identity and applications](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/sensory-experience/freshness/ban); [Novonesis: Fungamyl product identity and applications](https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions/food-and-beverages/baking/affordability-and-flexibility/flour-correction/fungamyl)