Producción de a-Amilasa con celulas libres e inmovilizadas de Thermus sp.

The thermostable á-amylase production is compared, using a native strain of Thermus sp., in batch culture and
immobilized cells in 3% p/v of sodium alginate. The production was carried out in PAP2 broth modified by the
addition of maize starch in a concentration of 3.024g/l. The results obtained in reactor, reported greater efficiency
due to the geometric configuration; concentration of the carbon source, oxygenation and temperature; allowing
better substrate assimilation. The maximum production of alpha amylase was obtained with immobilized cells in
fermentor with 1l of culture broth (fluidized culture), at 24 hours of fermentation (360.97UA/min l and 149.09 of
specific activity), vs., 60.31UA/min l and 18.40 of specific activity, obtained in reactor with 10l working volume
at 14h. It is important to remark in this work, which is the first time that immobilized cells of Thermus sp., are
used for the production of thermostable alpha-amylase, in Colombia.