ERIC Number: EJ825810
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Mar
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Kinetic Analysis of Amylase Using Quantitative Benedict's and Iodine Starch Reagents
Cochran, Beverly; Lunday, Deborah; Miskevich, Frank
Journal of Chemical Education, v85 n3 p401-403 Mar 2008
Quantitative analysis of carbohydrates is a fundamental analytical tool used in many aspects of biology and chemistry. We have adapted a technique developed by Mathews et al. using an inexpensive scanner and open-source image analysis software to quantify amylase activity using both the breakdown of starch and the appearance of glucose. Breakdown of starch is analyzed using the iodide/iodine reagent, while the appearance of glucose is followed using Benedict's reagent. The progress of Benedict's reagent is quantified using the inherent color change of a blue solution into a red precipitate. The reaction velocity at different time points is then plotted and graphed using an Excel spreadsheet. This laboratory emphasizes that enzymes mediate the conversion of a substrate into a product and that either the concentration of product or reactant may be used to follow the course of a reaction. (Contains 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Mechanics (Physics), Science Instruction, Chemistry, Computer Software, Color, Laboratory Experiments, Science Experiments, Spectroscopy, Molecular Structure
Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A