Amylase: Its application in the extraction of phytochemicals

Abstract

Plants are a rich source of drugs used in traditional systems of medicine, modern medicines, nutraceuticals, food supplements, folk medicines and pharmaceutical intermediates. They are also used as chemical entities for synthetic drugs. Efficient methods for maximum extraction of important phytochemicals are the need of the day. The traditional methods of physical and chemical extraction are effective but may affect the structure, quality and yield of the phytochemicals extracted. Amylase is an important enzyme that is generally used in the food and laundry industry. The paper aims at studying the effect of partially purified amylase obtained from Aspergillus niger in the extraction of phytochemicals from Terminalia chebula and Syzygium aromaticum. Amylase assisted extraction of Terminalia chebula showed a 13.3% increased release of phenolics in Tannic acid equivalents (TAE) and a two fold increase in Gallic acid equivalents (GAE). In the case of Syzygium aromaticum, amylase assisted extraction showed a two fold increase in volume of clove oils extracted and 40% increase in the weight of the oil extracted. The amylase assisted extracts of both the plant sources showed a greater antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.