Starch-acting α-glucanotransferase
enzymes are of great interest
for applications in the food industry. In previous work, we have characterized
various 4,6- and 4,3-α-glucanotransferases of the glycosyl hydrolase
(GH) family 70 (subfamily GtfB), synthesizing linear or branched α-glucans.
Thus far, GtfB enzymes have only been identified in mesophilic Lactobacilli. Database searches showed that related
GtfC enzymes occur in Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Exiguobacterium, Bacillus, and Geobacillus, adapted to growth
at more extreme temperatures. Here, we report characteristics of the Geobacillus sp. 12AMOR1 GtfC enzyme, with an optimal
reaction temperature of 60 °C and a melting temperature of 68
°C, allowing starch conversions at relatively high temperatures.
This thermostable 4,6-α-glucanotransferase has a novel product
specificity, cleaving off predominantly maltose units from amylose,
attaching them with an (α1 → 6)-linkage to acceptor substrates.
In fact, this GtfC represents a novel maltogenic α-amylase.
Detailed structural characterization of its starch-derived α-glucan
products revealed that it yielded a unique polymer with alternating
(α1 → 6)/(α1 → 4)-linked glucose units but
without branches. Notably, this Geobacillus sp. 12AMOR1 GtfC enzyme showed clear antistaling effects in bread
bakery products.
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