Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol.60, No.1, 105-113, 1998
A Monte Carlo simulation of the depolymerization of linear homopolymers by endo-enzymes exhibiting random-attack probability and single-attack mechanism : Application to the (1 -> 3),(1 -> 4)-beta-D-glucan/Endo-(1 -> 3),(1 -> 4)-beta-D-glucanase system
A Monte Carlo simulation of the depolymerization of linear homopolymers by specific endo-enzymes exhibiting random-attack probability and a single-attack mechanism has been developed. The program simulates the "real" depolymerization versus time of a polydisperse sample of substrate by a specific endo-enzyme. Given the initial mass distribution and concentration of the substrate, the initial concentration of the enzyme, and its Michaelis-Menten constant, the program simulates the evolution of the mass distribution of the substrate with the depolymerization time. When tested against experimental data from the depolymerization of barley (1-->3),(1-->4)-beta-D-glucan by malt endo(1-->3),(1-->4)-beta-D-glucanase, monitored using the Calcofluor-FIA method with fluorescent detection, excellent results were obtained.
Keywords:ANALYSIS FIA METHOD;ALPHA-AMYLASE;BETA-GLUCAN;GERMINATING BARLEY;MOLECULAR-WEIGHT;MULTIPLE ATTACK;CALCOFLUOR;POLYSACCHARIDES;ENDOHYDROLASES;ASSAY