Cyclomaltodextrinases

Cyclomaltodextrinases, EC 3.2.1.54, open up cyclomaltodextrins into linear maltodextrins. Their activity extends to linear maltodextrins as well, and they can act on starch, pullulan, amyloses and amylopectins, sometimes showing transglycosylation activity too. Microorganisms that live on cyclodextrins as a carbon source use these enzymes to dismantle the rings for metabolism. Starch biotechnologists study them to tailor cyclodextrin-derived ingredients and to map the full enzymatic cycle of ring formation and breakdown. Their ability to act on both cyclic and linear substrates makes them versatile tools for starch conversion research.