Isolation and characterization of alpha-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger

alpha-Glucosidase is an enzyme widely used in biochemical analytical methods. Aspergillus niger was selected as a potential source for its production. Conditions for glucosidase production were optimized and the enzyme was isolated from the culture supernatant by dialysis and anion-exchange chromatography. The activity of the enzyme was determined by maltose hydrolysis to glucose, which was determined using a glucose-specific electrode or by high-performance liquid chromatography. The isolated enzyme was further characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, substrate specificity and fast protein liquid chromatography. The Michaelis constant, optimal temperature and stability of the enzyme preparation were determined.