THE SAP OF THE BIRCH TREE, BETULA PAPYRIFERA MARSH.: I. THE AMYLASE SYSTEM

Abstract

The amylase system of birch sap consists of a cellobiogenic amylase and most probably a glucogenic amylase. The optimum conditions of pH and temperature are pH 5. 5 at 4 °C. to 6.3 at 60 °C. The maximum production of cellobiose occurred at a temperature of 50 °C. at the optimum pH for this temperature. The optimum conditions for the production of glucose were pH 5.5 and a temperature of 50 °C.It is felt that these new facts throw some additional light on the constitution of starch, and that possibly birch sap might serve as a source of cellobiose, which has heretofore only been prepared commercially by hydrolysis of cellulose acetate.