In the present investigation, the α -amylase enzyme was extracted from the endosperm of the 24–144 h germinating primed and non-primed wheat seeds in which the optimum activity was observed on day 3rd. It was well correlated with the increment in soluble sugar content, which was indirectly proportionate to insoluble sugar level. The three day old germinating endosperm was used for kinetic studies on α -amylase. Kinetic studies established that the optimum enzyme amount, pH, time period of assay and temperature optimum for α -amylase activities were 0.8 ml, 6.9 (pH), 25 min and 20°C, respectively for both primed and non-primed seeds. However the substrate concentration optima were representing 7.5, 10 and 12.5 mg of starch for non-primed, hydro and Ca(NO3)2 primed sets, respectively. Cycloheximide and chloramphenicol both were found to inhibit the synthesis as well as activity of α -amylase.
α -amylase activity, kinetics study, primed and non-primed seed
