*Researches discover enzyme that simplifies process of starch hydrolysis for glucose and maltose production
Since the last three decades, scientists around the globe were in search of efficient enzymes that could simplify the process of starch hydrolysis for glucose and maltose production. Scientists from Institute of Agricultural Sciences including Dr Nasir Ahmad, Dr Muhammad Saleem Haider and School of Biological Sciences Dr Naeem Rashid, Dr Muhammad Akhtar have discovered a novel thermo-acidophilic enzyme.
It is worth mentioning that there is not even a single unit of enzyme production in Pakistan. Hence, there is great potential in this field. With the support of public and private organisations efficiency of this excellent enzyme may be further improved. Mass scale production of it will not only suffice our own needs but can also help to earn a lot of foreign exchange.
This novel enzyme can efficiently hydrolyse starch into glucose and maltose syrups in a single step and in a simpler way, in the absence of any other enzyme. Wonderful features of the enzyme resulted in the publication of US PATENT titled; “Single Step Liquefaction and Saccharification of Corn Starch Using an Acidophilic, Calcium Independent and Hyperthermophilic Pullulanase” (United States Patent Pub No US 2014/0227744 A1 published on 14/08/2014; Funded (US $ 11000) by Higher Education Commission).
Dr Nasir Ahmad, the first author of patent, is an experienced food technologist. This marvellous job was done by Dr Ahmad during his PhD research (2005-2011) at Punjab University’s School of Biological Sciences. During this period, Prof Dr Saleem Haider and Prof Dr Naeem Rashid were his supervisors. It is worth mentioning that all the work was completed within Pakistan using university’s and researcher’s own resources. Even six month research training in a technologically advanced country under HEC’s International Research Support Initiative Program was also sacrificed to retain this national asset.
Dr Nasir Ahmad started his PhD in 2005 under HEC’s Indigenous 5000 PhD Fellowship Program. Previously, he has served at various food industries in quality assurance/production departments. Since December 2011, he is serving on a contractual position of Food Technology assistant professor at Institute of Agricultural Sciences. This nice effort of PU scientists will simplify the industrial process of glucose production and in turn greatly benefit our country’s economy.
The authors of patent are highly obliged to Higher Education Commission for provision of funds during research and patent publication fee.
