Characterization of α-Amylase from Soursop (Annona muricata Linn.) Fruits Degraded by Rhizopus stolonifer.

Rhizopus stolonifer is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus Rhizopus. The organism has been a very important microbe used in the field of industrial microbiology. It has been used in the production of many hydrolytic and extracellular enzymes among which is the α-amylase. This enzyme has found various uses in the industry. Fruit juices are important sources of nutrients and they contain several important therapeutic properties that may reduce the risk of various diseases. An investigation on α-amylase extracted from soursop fruits deteriorated by R. stolonifer and the effect of the enzyme on soursop juice clarification was carried out in this study. The results obtained shows that the soursop juice with low concentration of extracted enzyme and less incubation time was more viscous and cloudy compared with the juice with high concentrations of amylase and higher incubation time which was clearer and less viscous. The results of this research will be very useful in soursop juice producing companies.