Starch Hydrolysis Test: Principle, Procedure, Results, and Uses

What is the Starch Hydrolysis Test?

A microbiological test used to identify bacteria that produce α-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into simple sugars.

What is Starch Made Of?

Starch is composed of two glucose polymers:Amylose: linear (α-1,4 bonds) – Amylopectin: branched (α-1,4 and α-1,6 bonds)

How Does It Work?

Bacteria secrete exoenzymes (α-amylase, oligo-1,6-glucosidase) that break starch into smaller sugars like glucose or maltose.

Iodine Reaction:

Unhydrolyzed starch + Iodine → Blue-black color