Effect of ionic liquids on the structure, stability and activity of two related α-amylases.

Ionic liquids are recognized as green solvents for carbohydrates dissolution. However, only a limited number of studies have been carried out to investigate their effect on carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes. We have investigated the influence of two water miscible ionic liquids on the activity, stability and structure of two related α-amylases from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus lichiniformis. Upon changes in ionic liquids concentrations, both enzymes activity and stability were reduced. Associated thermodynamic and conformational changes were observed using differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence techniques. Thermal denaturation was accompanied by aggregation in both aqueous buffer and [BMIm][Cl] but [HMIm][Cl] significantly suppressed aggregation.