The action of saccharifying alpha-amylase from B. subtilis [EC 3.2.1.1] on eq- (the equilibrium mixture of alpha- and beta-forms) and beta-maltose was studied at pH 5.4 and 25 degrees. 2. The plots of initial velocity versus substrate concentration showed remarkable sigmoidal curves for both substrates. 3. The value of Hill's coefficient for eq- and beta-maltose were determined to be 3.3 and 3.8, respectively.