Abstract

Screening for alpha and beta Amylases were carried out in one hundred malted Nigerian maize cultivars. The trend of secretions of alpha and beta amylases was observed for eleven day germination period. Results obtained showed that third to fifth day germination periods could be taken as optimum periods for Amylolytic activities. Hence overall malt from 9071 and TZE COMP₄C₂ varieties were the most α Amylolytic on third day germination with the values of 134.48 and125.68 U. mg^-1 protein respectively. While KU 1409 STR and TZUTSR SGY-SYNF₂ malt were the most α Amylolytic on fifth day germination with the values 29.29 U and 31.00 U.mg ^-1 proteinrespectively. These findings showed that α amylase activity is dependent on types of cultivars and decreases after fourth day of germination. Malt from SPMAT variety was the most β amylolytic closely followed by MAKA SRBC₅. Results obtained showed that the malt β Amylase activity was also markedly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced by germination days and types of cultivar. These findings revealed that β amylase development in maize is dependent on the cultivars and the days of germination with over 80% of the cultivars progressively increasing in β amylase activity as days of germination increased up to five days of germination.

Key words: Maize, amylolytic, α amylase, β amylase, cultivars.